State-bound
Gilleard pins down Divisional title
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PHILIPSBURG — It was an all day battle for wrestlers navigating their way through brackets at the Western B-C Divisional tournament in Philipsburg, with several emerging with tickets to the State meet next weekend in Billings.
The Arlee Warriors (120) fought their way to a fifth-place finish, 24.5 points ahead of the sixth-place St. Ignatius-Charlo (95.5) wrestlers. The Ronan Chiefs captured the Divisional crown with 147.5 points over Eureka (125.5) and Thompson Falls (124). The Warriors and the Bulldogs had a number of wrestlers who made it to the championship round at the tournament. But Mission’s Scotty Gilleard was the only athlete who walked away with the crown after pinning Kody Davison of Florence in 3:12. Joining Gilleard in the final matches of the day included teammates Jamie Mullins (112), Casey Nitschke (135), Jacen Petersen (160) and Chadd Anderson (215).
“I did pretty good,” Gilleard said after the tournament. “I was starting to feel pretty sluggish, but I am proud of everyone who made it to the finals. We need to keep it up.”
Mullins earned his way to the championship round against Garret White of Eureka, but lost in a 7-0 decision. Despite the loss, Mullins, a freshman, was pleased with his effort.
“I wrestled my best and did the best I could,” Mullins said. “I look forward to State.”
Fellow wrestler Nitschke lost to Eureka’s Jose Letcher 20-12 and Petersen, last year’s divisional champion in the 152-division, lost to Drummond’s Barrett Stanghill, the returning champion in the 160-division, 10-6. Anderson was pinned by Levi Becker of Deer Lodge in 1:51.
Arlee sent Austin Rubel (140), Albert Plant (171) and Clayton Trimble (189) to the championship rounds.
Rubel was pinned in 15 seconds by Dan Taron of Superior; Plant lost 7-4 to Tanner Cobbs of Florence; and Trimble was pinned in 3:38 by Ronan’s Colby Roberts, last year’s divisional champion in the 215-division. Also making the trek to State are Warriors Cameron Dominick, Nathan Bertollt, Leif Rova and Logan Lefler.
“Wrestling a tough sport; just to get here is an accomplishment,” said Arlee coach Ken Hill. “We had our ups and downs. There were three kids in the finals … overall we are really happy.”
The top four finishers will compete in the State tournament Feb. 10-11 in Billings.
SUMMARY
Western B-C Divisional at Philipsburg
Saturday Team scores - Ronan 147.5, Eureka 125.5, Thompson Falls 124, Florence 123.5, Arlee 120, St. Ignatius-Charlo 95.5, Drummond-Philipsburg 86.5, Plains-Hot Springs 79.5, Superior 58.5, Deer Lodge 42, Noxon 36.
Quick pin - Ben Conover, Thompson Falls.
Championship finals
98 - Torren Lawson, Flo, pinned Anthony Parkin, Sup, 1:56
105 - Garret White, Eur, dec. Jamie Mullins, SI, 7-0.
112 - Zach Durden, Eur, dec. Russell Kujala, Pla, 2-0.
119 - Nikko Bakkila, Eur, dec. Tony Bergerson, Dru, 11-4;
125 - Tanner Lund, Flo, dec. Brandon Dumont, Ron, 8-2;
130 - Scotty Gilleard, SI, pinned Kody Davison, 3:12;
135 - Jose Letcher, Eur, m. dec. Casey Nitschke, SI, 20-12;
140 - Dan Taron, Sup, pinned Austin Rubel, Arl, :15;
145 - Ben Conover, TF, pinned Noah Sax, Flo, 1:20;
152 - Kris Beech, Pla, dec. Shelby Grant, Ron, 8-5;
160 - Barrett Stanghill, Dru, dec. Jacen Petersen, SI, 10-6;
171 - Tanner Cobbs, Flo, dec. Albert Plant, Arl, 7-4;
189 - Colby Roberts, Ron, pinned Clayton Trimble, Arl, 3:38;
215 - Levi Becker, DL, pinned Chadd Anderson, SI, 1:51;
Hwt - Ben Gorham, Pla, pinned Braxton Eubanks, TF, 3:56.
Third-fourth place
135 - Cameron Dominick, Arl, pinned Colton Bray, TF, 2:31;
140 - Joe Deienne, Pla, pinned Ty Pocha, Dru, 3:41;
145 - Nathan Bertollt, Arl, pinned Ashton Dierman, Eur, 2:50;
152 - Dustin Goldsby, Ron, pinned Curtis McDuffie, Eur, 2:54;
160 - Quentin Denton, Ron, pinned Leif Rova, Arl, 2:32;
171 - Logan Lefler, Arl, pinned Austen Martell, Dru, :28;
189 - Keenan Hendrickson, Flo, pinned Eric Milner, TF, 1:40;
215 - Cody North, Arl, by forfeit over John Onofrey, Nox;
Hwt - Jeramiah Chandler, Nox, pinned Joe Bowden, TF, 2:23.
