Zinke takes title, 10 wrestlers head to state

Whitefish senior Wolf Zinke emerged from the Northwestern A divisional wrestling meet as the top heavyweight in the league. Zinke held on for a 7-5 decision over Frenchtown’s Jordan Zuraff to earn a top seed at next weekend’s Class A state tournament in Billings.

The Bulldogs finished the divisional tourney in Frenchtown with 87 points and in fifth place. Columbia Falls won with 255 points.

The Bulldogs will send 10 wrestlers to Billings. The top four wrestlers in each weight class qualify for the state meet.

Whitefish coach Ryan Boyle was pleased with Saturday’s results.

“We’re sending 10 kids to state, and just a few seasons ago we barely had 10 kids on the team,” he said. “Something has clicked with our guys.”

Zinke’s divisional win against Zuraff revenged his only loss of the season. The heavyweight started the championship match aggressive and went for a few head locks that he just missed.

“Wolf had some nerves, but he settled down and scored some escapes and take downs. It was nice to see him wrestle a full match against good competition.”

Two of Whitefish’s 130-pounders, Matt Barton and Emmitt Schmidt, will represent the Bulldogs at state. Barton pinned teammate Schmidt at 2:46 in the third-place match. Schmidt came into the tourney with limited varsity experience but managed to make some noise and earn his ticket to state.

140-pounder Matthew Sampson took third place with a 3-1 decision over Frenchtown’s Kody Wilson, who had pinned Sampson twice previously this season.

“He knew he could wrestle with him, so he went in and wrestled a full match and beat him,” Boyle said.

145-pounder Judah Prestegaard also took third with a 3-1 decision over Libby’s Ricky Roach, while 152-pounder Madison McWhirter tallied an 8-3 decision over Columbia Falls’ Cody Walters.

98-pounder James Buckley, 135-pounder Wyatt Price and 105-pounder Dillion Thorsteinson each earned a trip to state with fourth-place finishes.

98-pounder Colter Krass will also be headed to state.

Boyle says he’s optimistic about the team’s chances at Billings.

“If some of the guys wrestle like they did Saturday, and carry that momentum and lay it all out, I’m hoping we can place a few kids,” Boyle said.

Zinke has his eyes set on winning a state title. He took second in the heavyweight division last year.

“He’ll have to wrestle the best he has ever before,” Boyle said. “But he’s been there. He knows what to expect.”

The state tourney is next weekend at Rimrock Auto Arena in Billings.

Northwestern A divisional

Columbia Falls 255, Frenchtown 218 1/2, Libby 136, Polson 133, Whitefish 87.

Championship

98 – Cody Warner, Ftn, maj. dec. Caleb Bagnell, Ftn, 11-0.

105 – Cameron Linstead, CF, pinned Cady Hadeen, Pol, :17.

112 – Shonn Roberts, CF, pinned Tyler Ishler, Ftn, 1:16.

119 – Carlos Quinones, Pol, pinned Haze Bell, CF, 5:13.

125 – Zach Crace, Lib, pinned Dlyan Moll, Pol, :36.

130 – Josiah Osborn, CF, pinned. Colton Gove, CF, :11.

135 – Mitch Haugen, Lib, dec. Cody Lemons, Ftn, 11-5.

140 – Craig Feistner, Pol, pinned Chase Ramberg, CF, 3:03.

145 – Bryan Schaffer, CF, dec. Jack Nerison, Ftn, 6-5.

152 – Logan Fisher, Ftn, dec. Garret Chapel, Lib, 11-9.

160 – Jacob Burgess, CF, dec. Austin Bailey, Lib, 5-1.

171 – David Anderson, Ftn, dec. Austin Bailey, Lib, 5-1.

189 – Sam Gordon, Ftn, pinned Aaron Vick, CF, 1:07.

215 – Zach Dolezal, Lib, dec. Rand Pritzkau, Ftn, 3-1.

Hwt – Wolf Zinke, Wfh, dec. Jordan Zuraff, Ftn, 7-5.

Third-fourth

98 – Jordan Hughes, CF, pinned James Buckley, Wfh, :36; 105 – Cameron LInstead, CF, pinned Cody Hadeen, Pol, :17; 112 – Kaleb Gravelin, CF, dec. Jaben Wenzel, Pol, 10-6; 119 – Jon Blachard, Ftn, dec. Alex Helgeson, Pol, 5-4; 125 – Seth McCall, CF, pinned Dalton Nelson, CF, 1:31; 130 – Matt Barton, Wfh, pinned Emmitt Schmidt, Wfh, 2:46; 135 – Skyler Higareda, Lib, dec. Wyhatt Pirce, Wfh, 9-3; 140 – Matthew Sampson, Wfh, dec. Kody Wilson, Ftn, 3-1; 145 – Judah Prestegaard, Wfh, dec. Ricky Roach, Lib, 3-1; 152 – Madison McWhirter, Wfh, dec. Cody Walters, CF, 8-3; 160 – Tel Motichka, Pol, dec. Josh Bowers, Lib, 7-2; 171 – Cameron Peteron, CF, dec. Tel Seemann, Pol, 6-3; 189 – Mike Corrigan, Pol, pinned Patrick Valentin, Lib, 1:48; 215 – Matt Erhart, CF, dec. Isaiah Williams, Pol, 9-8; Hwt – Ross Spencer, CF, dec. Nathan Brennett, Ftn, 5-0.

Fifth-sixth

98 – Thunder Morales, Pol, dec. Colter Krass, Wfh, n/a; 112 – Trison Caye, Popl, dec. Dylan Roby, Lib, n/a; 119 – Skyler Bowerman, Wfh, de. Ian Edwards-Myslicki, Lib, n/a; 125 – Trystan Armstrong, Wfh, dec. Ryan Stenerson, Ftn, n/a; 135 – Taylor Mitchell, CF, dec. Noah Fouty, Pol, n/a; 145 – Keith Clark, Ftn, dec. Alex Yeadon, Lib, n/a; 171 – Josiah Edington, Pol, dec. Kyle Boiwerman, Wfh, n/a; 215 – Joshua McGough, Lib, dec. Matt Gulbrandson, Wfh, n/a.