Last week, the Bitterroot Valley and the high school sports world lost a champion. Mike McChesney died after a courageous battle with cancer. But it was not how he died but how he lived that impacted so many lives. I didn’t know him very well but he certainly gave me a new view of wrestling while he was coaching and then again when he was refereeing, both wrestling and football.
The thing I noticed more about Mike than anything was his smile and how he always had something positive to say. It wasn’t just to me, it was to everyone, from the young man who had just been pinned, to a football player that made a great tackle. His positive reinforcement shaped many young fellows into the men they are today.
If I had a question about something on the field or the wrestling mat, he would always have an answer and if it took a few plays to get it to me, so be it. He wanted me to understand and for that, I appreciated his effort. His absence will be felt this year across Western Montana but it will be especially felt in Florence.
On another note, the Bridger Chambers watch is still on. Chambers is currently sitting fifth in the world in the PRCA steer wrestling. To date, he has earned $79,523.95 with about a month remaining in the season. The top wrestler is Tyler Pearson of Louisville, Mississippi, who has earned $94,517.69. The top 15 in the world will head to the National Finals in Las Vegas in December.