By Boots Gifford
Lincoln County High School senior Howard Mee has signed a letter of intent to wrestle for the NAIA national champion Montana State-Northern Lights, announced sixth-year coach David Ray.
Hes a competitor. Hes a student of wrestling, Ray said. Hes strong, has good balance and mat awareness. Hes a smart wrestler.
Mee captured the 1999 state Class B-C title at 189 pounds going 34-0 for the season. The standout grappler took up wrestling for the first time his freshman year of high school, earning a 19-13 record that season. By his sophomore year he went 29-6, then 33-3 his junior year, earning third-place finishes at state both seasons.
He just started in high school and every year he got better, Ray said. Hes a very coachable young man.
His overall prep record is 115-22. Named the teams most valuable wrestler, he holds the school record from most takedowns.
He gives us added depth at the upper weights, Ray said, adding Mee will redshirt his freshman season. Then that gives him one year (his sophomore season) to wrestle under Turk (Lords), then replace him when Turk graduates. Thats my goal for Howard.
Coming from a smaller school, Mees workout partners were limited in number.
Hes got talent that hasnt been touched, Ray said. Hes got good defense. We just need to work on his offense, his technique. He will be important for us.
Holding a 3.8 grade point average, Mee was a Boys State member and worked as a page at the state Legislature in Helena. He plans to major in history or science at Northern.
He is the son of John and Sylvia Mee of Trego.
