Chiefs prepare for divisional tournament
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The Ronan Chiefs had one final week of mat time before heading to the Divisional Tournament in Philipsburg beginning Feb. 4. Last week, Ronan traveled to Missoula Sentinel before hosting rival Polson on senior night Jan. 27, before traveling to a tournament in Darby, where they finished in second place.
“We wrestled well, I was pretty impressed,” Ronan head coach Dustyn Azure said.
At Missoula Sentinel, the Chiefs were edged by the Class AA Spartans 48-30, but Ronan showed a lot of progress despite the loss. The Chiefs picked up three pins and won the 105 and 112 by forfeit. The pin wins didn’t come easy, as none of them came under two minutes, forcing the Chiefs into long battles with the Spartans.
In the 160-pound category, Shelby Grant pinned Michael Cloud in 4:50, while Quentin Denton (171) picked up a win via pin against Sawyer DePee in 4:42.
Colby Roberts secured Ronan’s final win by pinning T.J. Bordner in 2:35.
Sentinel won 130, 135 and 145 by forfeit.
On Friday, Ronan hosted Polson, where the Pirates edged Ronan, handing the Chiefs a 43-36 loss.
“Against Polson our kids competed very well,” Azure said. “We lost the dual, but went five and five.”
Ronan’s first win of the night came when Brandon Dumont pinned Drew Fouty in the 130-pound category in 1:35.
“Fouty has beat Dumont the past two times,” Azure said. “(Dumont) stepped up to pin him in a quick first period.”
Dustin Goldsby continued to add points for the Chiefs with a win over Jared Young in the 152-pound class via pin in 1:32.
In the 160-pound class, Grant pinned Mike Devlin in only 50 seconds, while Roberts won the 189-pound category by pinning Marlin Burke in 1:29.
“Shelby’s wrestling very well,” Azure noted. “When he’s firing on all cylinders, he’s hard to beat.”
Grappler Michael Irvine, 215 pounds, pinned Kaleb Auld to cap off Ronan’s wins in the meet.
Ronan also won 171 by forfeit, while 105 was a double forfeit. Polson won 119 and 135 and heavyweight by forfeit.
In Darby, Chase Thine, 112 pounds, took first in his weight category, while Goldsby took first in the 152-pound class. Roberts also secured a first place finish at the meet.
Dumont took second in the 125 category, while Denton took second in the 160-pound class.
The Chiefs also picked up a couple of fourth place finishes, as Connor Benn (130) and Loren Christopher (140) won their classes.
“Our upper classmen are stepping up, and also our sophomores are rising to the occasion,” Azure said. “Our kids are finding roles and our leaders are leading. We’re starting to mesh right when we need the team to.”
Ronan heads to the Class B Divisional Tournament Feb. 4 in Philipsburg, where they will be sending 15 wrestlers.
“Right now it’s a dogfight for first place in the division,” Azure said. “Mission, Eureka and Thompson Falls can all bring home a divisional title.
Wrestlers who finish in the top four at Divisionals advance to the State tournament in Billings Feb. 10-11.
SUMMARY
Polson 43, Ronan 36
98 - Alex Helegson, P, pinned Trae Garcia, 5:47; 112 - Carlos Quinones, P, dec. Chase Rhine, 8-1; 125 - Craig Feistner, P, pinned Connor Benn, :25; 130 - Brandon Dumont, R, pinned Drew Fouty, 1:35; 140 - Alex Nystrom, P, pinned Lauren Christopher, 2:22; 145 - Tel Motichka, P, maj. dec. Ronny Cullis, 18-4; 152 - Dustin Goldsby, R, pinned Jared Young, 1:32; 160 - Shelby Grant, R, pinned Mike Devlin, :50, 189 - Colby Roberts, R,. pinned Marlin Burke, 1:29; 215 - Michael Irvine, R, pinned Kaleb Auld, 2:16; Hwt Polson wins forfeit.
Polson won 119, 135, and Hwt by forfeit.
Ronan won 171 by forfeit.
105 was a double forfeit.
Missoula Sentinel 48, Ronan 30
125 – Dylan Schulte, S, pinned Brandon DuMont, 4:18; 140 – Gabe LaCroix, S, pinned Loren Christopher, :15; 152 – Joey Hiett, S, pinned Dustin Goldsby, 2:55; 160 – Shelby Grant, R, pinned Michael Cloud, 4:50; 171 – Quentin Denton, R, pinned Sawyer DePee, 4:42; 189 – Colby Roberts, R, pinned T.J. Bordner, 2:35; 215 – Tanner Price, S, pinned Michael Irvine, 1:44; Hwt – Matt Brownlow, S, pinned Timber Schauss, :52.
Ronan won 105, 112 by forfeit.
Sentinel won 130, 135, 145 by forfeit.
