Lights finish second, have tons of success in Spokane

The Spokane Open is always a great early-season test for the Montana State University-Northern wrestling team. And the Lights scored well at the 2022 Spokane Open last Sunday,

Northern scored 142.5 points to finish second in a 15-team field that included the likes of Providence, North Idaho, Eastern Oregon, Linfield, Clackamas CC and others. The Lights sent 11 wrestlers to the podium, as well, including two champions and five in the finals for longtime head coach Tyson Thivierge’s team.

Leading the way for the Lights was 125-pounder Tanner Cook, who beat Elijah Carter in the championship match. Cook had an impressive one-day run, winning four bouts on his way to the title.

The Lights also doubled up at 174 pounds, as top-ranked NaKoda Siegel and teammate Rylin Burns both reached the final, but did not wrestle the championship match. At 141 pounds Colin Silverthorn got to the finals, before losing to Clackamas’ Justin Rodriguez. Devin Crawford also advanced to the 165-pound final, where he lost to Thor Michelson by decision. Martin Wilkie was also perfect on the day, reaching the 149-pound semifinals before having to retire from the tournament due to an injury.

Also placing for the Lights, who entered 18 competitors, was Cooper Cook, who took fourth at 133 pounds, Zach Valdez, who placed sixth at 165, Cade Gubler, who finished fourth at 174, Austin Vanek, who took fourth at 184 and Rylan Moldenhauer, who finished sixth at 285.

The 19th-ranked Lights will have this week off, before returning to the mat for two days in Great Falls. Northern will compete in the Argo Duals Dec. 2 and the Battle of the Rockies Tournament Dec. 3.