Hall wins Class AA wrestling state championship

BILLINGS, MONT. – Potomac's Bridger Hall was among the leaders from Missoula Big Sky High School on the Class AA championship mats. Hall won the 170 pound title at the all-class state wrestling tournaments in Billings on Saturday, Feb. 15. His teammates Hunter Meinzen won the 152 pound class and Dougie Hall finished runner-up in the 160 pound class.

Hall, now a senior, started wrestling in third grade. Without a family connection to the sport, his friends were the ones wrestling that got him interested. After a wrestling camp in the second grade, he was hooked.

"I liked how in wrestling you can see the work you put in," said Hall comparing it to team sports where you can be the best player on the team but collectively the team may not be that good.

Hall placed in the top three at the state meet starting in fourth grade. Once he hit high school he qualified for state and progressed every year. While he didn't place his freshman year, he was sixth in his weight class as a sophomore, and fourth as a junior. This year he met his goal, winning the state championship title.

"I push myself to get better and I put a lot of work into it," said Hall.

Hall said he wrestles in the off season and attends wrestling camps. He has also wrestled internationally. His training continues off the mat with running and lifting weights to improve his strength and cardiovascular fitness.

Hall transferred from Hellgate to Big Sky High School at the end of his junior year to challenge himself at a bigger school with more competition and Head Coach Rick Moreno.

Nearly half way through the season, Hall hit a low spot losing a few matches because he was fighting illness. However he was able to bounce back and by February, he felt he hit his peak. He was feeling much better and the tempo of the practices increased. He continued to win his matches boosting his confidence.

At the State Wrestling Tournament, Hall pinned his first two opponents Hayden Allie and Charlie Desmarias, both seniors from Billings, Mont.

In the semifinals, Hall won 11-2 in a decision over Garrett Rieke of Flathead.

Hall faced Tanner Russell of Flathead in the championship. While this was Hall's first state championship match, he had met Russell on the mat several times this season. Hall had won five of the six matches.

"It was pretty nerve-wracking. There was a lot of people," said Hall who was told there were more than 15,000 people watching the match and more than 600 wrestlers competing.

In 3 minutes and 49 seconds, Hall pinned Russell. Hall said while this was in the second period of the match, it is pretty rare to see a pin in the state championship match.

"It felt really good. I've worked many, many years trying to get there," said Hall. "This has definitely been a goal."

Hall appreciates all the help Coach Moreno has given him this last year. He is also grateful for all the support he has received from his family including the opportunities they have given him and supporting him at tournaments.

Hall also thanked his nearly 30 teammates for pushing him and helping get him to the level he is at now.

Hall's next goal is to wrestle in college on a scholarship. He currently has one offer and is waiting on more. He looks forward to continuing his wrestling career next year.