Flathead beats on Big Sky
The assault began with a second-period pin by Payton Hume at 170 pounds and concluded 57 minutes later with another second-period pin, this one by Garrett Rieke at 160, for a 65-0 Western AA dual wrestling romp over overmatched Missoula Big Sky/Loyola at Flathead High School on Thursday evening.
The Braves, now 19-2 in duals, never trailed in any of the 11 matches wrestled, recorded first-period takedowns in nine of them and totaled six pins on the night.
Big Sky forfeited to Flathead at 103 and 182.
“Our kids showed up and wrestled really well,” Flathead coach Jeff Thompson said. “The kids were excited to wrestle at home and put on a show for the fans.”
Also posting pins were Tucker Nadeau (205), Alex Paull (285), Damian Naldret (113) and Kenyon Fretwell (152).
Nadeau is now 39-0.
“We worked on our takedowns in practice all week,” Thompson said.
“We focused on attacking. Our goal this week was to score in the first period and continue on the attack ... wear them down physically and mentally.”
Mission accomplished.
Bryce Shaffer (120) and Jaden MacNeil (132) both won by major decisions.
Braden Comer (126), Bo Meyer (138) and Tanner Russell (145) all pulled through with tough decision wins.
Russell, who outmuscled Kyle Gordon 7-4, lost that matchup earlier this season. Gordon is ranked No. 2 at that weight class.
“That was a big win,” Thompson said.
“He won the scrambles in the match. That was the difference.”
Meyer prevailed 1-0 over Tristan Haueswas thanks to a second-period escape.
Russell stayed in control for a 7-4 win over Kyle Gordon.
“We were really impressed with Bo Meyer,” Thompson said. “He had a hard-fought match.
“Braden Comer battled for six minutes for a nice win.”
Flathead wraps up dual action Saturday, hosting Helena Capital at 11 a.m. and Helena High at 1 p.m.
The Western AA seeding tournament is at Flathead the following weekend with state to follow in Billings on Feb. 9-10.
170 — Payton Hume, F, pinned Mason Corcoran, 2:41; 182 — Colby Martin, F, won by forfeit; 205 — Tucker Nadeau, F, pinned Tommy Lenard, 1:54; 285 — Alex Paul, F, pinned Kendahl Odell,1:07; 103 — Brendan Barnes, F, won by forfeit; 113 — Damian Naldret, F, pinned Alex Grandbois, 1:01; 120 — Bryce Shaffer, F, maj. dec. Carter Corcoran, 13-3; 126 — Braden Comer, F, dec. Brody Skillicorn, 11-6; 132 — Jaden MacNeil, F, maj. dec. Isaac Skillicorn, 16-8; 138 — Bo Meyer, F, dec. Tristan Haueswas, 1-0; 145 — Tanner Russell, F, dec. Kyle Gordon, 7-4; 152 — Kenyon Fretwell, F, pinned Jacob Williams, 2:18; 160 — Garrett Rieke, F, pinned Wyatt Smith, 3:03.
Ronan 46, Polson 27
RONAN — Ronan capitalized on pins and took advantage of forfeits to best Polson in a Northwest A dual.
Pins for Ronan were by Trapper McAllister (103), Hunter Peterson (138), Dan Cheff III (160) and Wesley Pablo (205).
Bridger Wenzel (132), Cameron Brown (145) and Parker Adler (152) won by pin for Polson.
Polson forfeited three weight classes to one for Ronan.
103 — Trapper McAllister, R, pinned Maysn Cowell, 2:58; 113 — Rene Pierre, P, won by forfeit; 120 — Spencer Stagg, R, maj. dec. Mateo Quinones, 12-1; 126 — Kedrick Baker, P, dec. Zane Walchuk, SV-1 10-8; 132 — Bridger Wenzel, P, pinned Kolby Reum, 2:52; 138 — Hunter Peterson, R, pinned Jarod Farrier, 3:20; 145 — Cameron Brown, P, pinned Eric Dolence, 3:31; 152 — Parker Adler, P, pinned Seth Cheff, 1:53; 160 — Dan Cheff III, R, pinned Caleb Pierre, :54; 170: Jesse Littleboy, R, won by forfeit; 182 — Justin Mays, R, won by forfeit; 205 — Wesley Pablo, R, pinned Jasper Drake, 3:45; 285 — Sam Mocabee, R, won by forfeit;