AA wrestling: Braves sitting in 2nd

BILLINGS - Most wrestling coaches will tell you that championships are won in the wrestlebacks.

If that's the case, the Flathead Braves have a pretty good shot at their fourth straight state championship.

One point separates the Braves and the Billings Skyview Falcons after the first day of the All Class state wrestling tournament.

Skyview, with 14 semifinalists, is in first place with 174.5 points. The Braves, with 11 semifinalists, are second at 173.5. Rounding out the top five in Class AA are Great Falls High with 110, Bozeman at 90 and Billing Senior with 88.

Glacier is seventh with 74.5.

The Braves trailed Skyview by 19 points after Friday's quarterfinals.

"I kind of figured this, that it would be a really tight race," said Flathead coach Matt Owen.

"Very good last round. We had to make up quite a bit of ground in that last one, but the kids really stepped it up," Owen said.

"We just kind of talked to the kids individually and told them that this was a really important round and we can make up a lot of ground here. They definitely stepped up. That's quite a bit to come back from," he said.

"That was big. (Billings Skyview) got quite a few of their kids picked off in that round while we really stepped it up," he said.

"It's kind of nice having someone pushing you. It would be nice to be leading it right now," he admitted.

"But it's nice having that competition. It makes all the kids step it up," he said.

"I'm sure they'll be happy (to know) we're that close. We need to step it up (Saturday) in some of those tight matches. We've got to start winning some of those," Owen said.

As for today - the semifinals begin at 9 a.m. The consolation finals are at 3 p.m. and the championships begin at 6 p.m.

Semifinalists for Flathead are Zach Reimnitz (105), Alejandro Calderon (119), Cody Tally (119), Joaquin Calderon (125), Shawn Lau (130), Tanner Beaman (135), Caleb Allen-Schmid (145), Ryan Thiel (152), Bryce Stacy (160), Ian Damon (171) and Tyler Thomas (275).

Flathead will go against Skyview in two of those semifinals - Reimnitz at 105 and Alejandro Calderon at 119.

Still alive in the wrestlebacks for Flathead are Caleb Piasecki (112), Steel Hahn (125), Dan Jenkins (140), Jeremiah Gaiser (140), Steven Mantel (152), Paul Streich (215), Trevor Beaman (215) and Connor Thomas (275).

The Glacier Wolfpack has three semifinalists - Zach Barber (98), Larry Francis (152) and John Frandsen (215).

Remaining in the tournament for Glacier are Jordan Nelson (135), Shane St. Onge (135), Tanner Woodland (152), Clayton Hamilton (160), Boyce Ballard (189), Joel Horn (275) and Dan Gilbert (275).

"I think we wrestled like kids who aren't experienced at being here," said Wolfpack coach Mark Fischer.

"I knew something was just too good to be true about this season. That second round, we won four of 22 matches and that just kind of deflated us a little bit."

But Glacier also had a good third round.

"I was real proud of the kids. We won seven of nine matches and that was a real positive thing. We've still got 10 kids in. That's still a good thing. We just didn't get all the help we thought we were going to get from everybody.

"It hurts a little bit, but tomorrow is a new day and this is gone. We're not going to look back. We're going to look forward and see what we can do," Fischer said.

Class AA

Team Totals

Billings Skyview 1741/2, Flathead 1731/2, Great Falls 110, Bozeman 90, Billings Senior 88, Missoula Sentinel 80, Glacier 741/2, Great Falls Russell 68, Helena 51, Helena Capital 33, Butte 31, Missoula Hellgate 271/2, Missoula Big Sky 20, Billings West 191/2.

First round

98 - Holden Gagner, MHG def. Woody Buck, CMR, tech. fall, 15-0; Zak Harney, BUT def. Austin Lundin, CAP, major dec. 14-1; Alex Markle, CAP def. Eric Ibarra, BOZ, dec. 7-2; Nik Hinebauch, BSV def. Jake Kinkel, KAL, pin, 1:19; Zach Barber, GLR def. Tayte Wegner, BSH, dec. 5-4; CJ Ness, BSH, bye; Josh Christoferson, BSV def. Jim Mayer, HEL, pin, 1:25; Cole Mendenhall, GFH def. Tucker Schmidt, MBS, pin, :27.

105 - Zach Reimnitz, KAL def. Ian Collins, BSH, pin, :23; Brock Miller, BSV def. Lucas Ferguson, HEL, pin, :54; Colin Rupert, BOZ, bye; Clay Cathey, BSV, bye; Cree Minkhoff, BSH def. Luke Davenport, MSN, major dec. 12-2; Justin Smart, GFH def. Wyatt Boyer, HEL, pin, 1:14; Nick Richardson, BWH, bye; Dylan Mendenhall, GFH, bye.

112 - Cliff Evans, MSN, bye; Anthony Zimmer, GFH def. Jake Stueban, KAL, dec. 4-1; Caleb Piasecki, KAL def. Jordan Buhl, BUT, pin, :39; Sam Shelton, BSV def. Zach Orr, GLR, pin, :47; Daniel Temme, BWH def. Steve Emge, CAP, pin, 1:10; Riley Berry, BOZ def. Casey Kazimi, HEL, pin, 5:24; Marcus Kolp, BOZ def. Brady Bertagnolli, HEL, pin, 3:17; Brennan Barta, BSV, bye.

119 - Alejandro Calderon, KAL def. Destin Wassmann, GFH, pin, 1:06; Tanner Jacobson, GFH def. David Marne, MSN, pin, 1:06; Mike Nguyen, BSV def. Jeff Meier, MSN, dec. 14-11; Cody West, CMR def. Ryan Hover, MHG, pin, 3:52; Tate Morgan, BSV def. Cooper Sipe, GLR, tech. fall, 16-0; Cody Tally, KAL def. Justin Rowling, BUT, dec. 5-2; David Schmitt, BWH def. Kyle Webster, CAP, pin, 3:43; David Demo, BOZ def. Markle Quinn, CAP, forfeit.

125 - Joaquin Calderon, KAL def. Nate Long, BWH, pin, 4:58; Taylor Anderson, BOZ def. Dexter Orr, GLR, dec. 13-7; Steel Hahn, KAL def. Tony Grubb, CMR, pin, 5:14; Mike Budeski, CMR def. Sancho RidesattheDoor, MHG, pin, :42; Niko Guyman, HEL def. Tyler Langford, BSV, pin, 2:11; Cole Kratochvil, BSV def. Jacob Preston, MBS, pin, 1:14; Tyler Christians, HEL def. Chris Renz, BUT, dec. 5-4; Tanner Sprenkle, BSH def. Cody Murphy, CAP, pin, 1:26. 130 - Shaw Lau, KAL def. Jake Tri, CMR, pin, :52; Tyler Hendrickson, GLR def. Natty Lanbert, BOZ, dec. 5-2; Ezekiel Concepcion, BSV def. Sam Whisonaut, MHG, pin, 1:34; Kyle Taranto, BOZ def. Isaac Asay, CAP, pin, :59; Simon Asay, CAP def. Stephen Horn, GFH, pin, 2:28; Jacob Conklin, MBS def. Jake Dickson, CMR, pin, 1:25; Jon Hagstgrom, BSH def. Jarred Maddio, HEL, dec. 7-4; Brice Gretch, BSV def. Gabe LeCroix, MSN, pin, :33.

135 - Tanner Beaman, KAL def. Chris Contreraz, BSH, tech. fall, 15-0; Zech Shalz, GFH def. Guy Nordahl, CAP, major dec. 14-0; Austin Bailey, CMR def. Kyle Moyer, MBS, dec. 6-3; Tucker Sprenkle, BSH def. Sean King, MSN, pin, 1:59; Shane St. Onge, GLR def. Cody LeProwse, BUT, dec. 9-5; Kooper Bond, BSV def. Joe Bogard, HEL, major dec. 12-1; Jordan Nelson, GLR def. Sam Wavra, CMR, pin, 5:12; Marshal Carpenter, BOZ def. Wade Robinson, KAL, pin, :38; Tanner Beamer, KAL def. Chris Cortrearaz, CAP, tech. fall, 15-0; Zech Shalz, GFH def. Guy Nordahl, CAP, major dec. 14-0; Austin Bailey, CMR def. Kyle Moyer, MBS, dec. 6-3; Tucker Sprenkle, BSH def. Sean King, MSN, pin, 1:59; Shane St. Onge, GLR def. Cody LeProwse, BUT, dec. 9/5; Kooper Bond, BSV def. Joe Bogard, HEL, major dec. 12-1; Jordan Nelson, GLR def. Sam Wavra, CMR, pin, 5:12; Marshal Carpenter, BOZ def. Wade Robinson, KAL, pin, :38.

140 - Jake Dallaserra, BUT def. Justin Mikkola, MSN, dec. 9-5; Ben Sulser, BSH def. Ryan Fuss, HEL, dec. 7-4; Kelly Olds, CMR def. Riley Pisk, GLR, major dec. 15-6; Mitch Rohrback, CMR def. Nick Nordwick, MHG, pin, 1:52; Dan Jenkins, KAL def. Phil Magart, GFH, pin, 2:32; Cory Champney, BSV def. Jeremiah Gaiser, KAL, dec. 6-4; PJ Neary, BWH def. Lane Armstrong, GLR, major dec. 11-0; Michael Carpenter, BOZ def. Casey McMillon, MBS, pin, 1:46; Jake Dallaserra, BUT def. Justin Mikkola, MSN, dec. 9-5; Ben Sulser, BSH def. Ryan Fuss, HEL, dec. 7-4; Kelly Olds, CMR def. Riely Pisk, GLR, major dec. 15-6; Mitch Rohrback, CMR def. Nick Nordwick, MHG, pin, 1:52; Dan Jenkins, KAL def. Phil Magart, GFH, pin, 2:32; Cory Champney, BSV def. Jeremiah Gasier, KAL, dec. 6-4; P J Neary, BWH def. Lane Armstrong, GLR, major dec. 11-0; Mitchael Carpenter, BOZ def. Casey McMillon, MBS, pin, 1:46.

145 - Caleb Allen-Schmid, KAL def. Josh Allestead, GFH, pin, 2:12; Jimmy Netz, CMR def. Caleb Spangler, CAP, dec. 11-4; Julian Wichman, GFH def. Lucas Cummings, GLR, pin, 3:39; Nash Hallfrisch, CMR def. Travis Woodland, GLR, tech. fall, 15-0; Josh Seeberger, MSN def. Tyler West, BSV, dec. 13-7; Joe Powell, BOZ def. David Degarmo, MSN, major dec. 12-2; JT Street, HEL def. Alec Ziegler, BSH, dec. 8-4; Tyler Elm, BSV def. Erik Dewing, MHG, tech. fall, 18-1.

152 - Ryan Thiel, KAL def. Mason Williamson, BSH, pin, :57; D.J. St. John, MHG def. Mike Baker, BWH, major dec. 13-3; Greg Wyatt, BSH def. Joe Lesofski, HEL, pin, 3:12; Trylan Wassman, GFH def. Kale Kamerzel, HEL, pin, 3:12; Larry Francis, GLR def. Zach Larchick, BSV, forfeit; Tanner Woodland, GLR def. Blake Cotton, CMR, forfeit; Steven Mantel, KAL def. Hunter Chandler, BOZ, dec. 4-2; Shawn Rohrer, BSV def. Pat Legg, CAP, pin, 1:59.

160 - Bryce Stacy, KAL def. David Kersten, BWH, pin, :48; Jacob Silberling, HEL def. Crew Johnston, BOZ, dec. 9-6; Josh Hamilton, MSN def. Dalton Kramarich, CMR, dec. 5-1; Zach Fellows, BUT def. Giovanni Pegues, MSN, pin, 4:28; Steven DeYoung, MHG def. Mike Edwards, BSV, pin, 1:31; Ron Bray, BSH def. Josh Erickson, GLR, dec. 11-7; Clayton Hamilton, GLR def. Charlie Bartram, GFH, pin, 5:26; Joey Mancuso, BSV def. Trevor Dohlen, CAP, pin, 1:47.

171 - Tanen Doty, MSN def. Jordan Spoonemore, BWH, pin, :30; Ryan Otto, CMR def. Duncan Aylor, KAL, pin, 4:34; Chris Sowell, CMR def. Brandon Olean, MHG, pin, 3:53; Garrett Bergum, BSV def. Taylor Beto, CAP, pin, 1:14;

Ian Damon, KAL def. Nick Wiens, BWH, pin, 1:53; Tait Strom, CAP def. Sean Peters, BSV, dec. 7-1; Cody Hert, BSH def. Matt Upham, HEL, pin, 5:31; Maxx Galland, GFH def. Taylor Heavirland, GLR, pin, :56.

189 - Kody Reed, MBS def. Kris Robuck, BWH, pin, 1:55; Boyce Ballard, GLR def. Odaicious Concepcion, BSV, dec. 8-2; Jordan Creveling, MSN def. Jared Wishard, CMR, dec. 14-9; Carson Hilliard, BSV def. Jonah Franchi, KAL, pin, 5:08; Jace Prideaux, MSN def. Zach Gleason, BUT, pin, 3:34; Lance Wilkinson, BSH def. Jeff Rudolph, KAL, tech. fall, 15-0; Dyami Bartholomew, BOZ def. Randy Martin, GLR, major dec. 13-4; Zach Wichman, GFH def. Cole Jensen, MHG, pin, 1:56.

215 - John Frandsen, GLR def. Russ Hildreth, BUT, pin, 1:48; Mike Nelson, CMR def. Shawn Bradshaw, MSN, pin, 2:41; Matt Cable, GFH def. Nick Alamia, CAP, dec. 11-4; Jacob Berry, BSV def. Ben Mead, MHG, pin, 3:05; Bentley Alsup, MSN def. Marc Evans, BOZ, pin, 3:37; Paul Streich, KAL def. Doug May, BOZ, pin, 5:23; Cameron Carpenter, GFH def. Trevor Beaman, KAL, pin, 2:25; Justin Prevost, BSV def. Mack Sutherland, GLR, pin, 1:43.

Hwt - Toby Erickson, HEL def. Austin Mallott, BOZ, pin, :10; Dan Gilbert, GLR def. Sam Pennell, GFH, pin, 3:54;

Burton Schilling, MSN def. Cole Tripp, BUT, pin, 3:15; Kasey Smith, BSH def. Seth McCracken, MHG, pin, 1:55; Tyler Thomas, KAL def. Philip Schmidt, BSH, pin, :46; Connor Thomas, KAL def. Cammeron Farrell, CMR, pin, :13; Joel Horn, GLR def. Decker Roberts, BSV, pin, 1:51; Josh Zimmer, GFH def. Josh Wallis, CAP, pin, 3:58.

Quarterfinals' 98 - Zak Harney, BUT def. Holden Gagner, MHG, pin, 5:41; Nik Hinebauch, BSV def. Alex Markle, CAP, major dec. 16-4; Zach Barber, GLR def. Tayte Wegner, BSH, pin, :53; Cole Mendenhall, GFH def. Josh Christoferson, BSV, pin, 3:36.

105 - Zach Reimnitz, KAL def. Brock Miller, BSV, major dec. 12-2; Clay Cathey, BSV def. Colin Rupert, BOZ, tech. fall, 16-1; Cree Minkhoff, BSH def. Justin Smart, GFH, dec. 7-4; Dylan Mendenhall, GFH def. Nick Richardson, BWH, pin, 3:24.

119 - Alejandro Calderon, KAL def. Tanner Jacobson, GFH, pin, 1:28; Mike Nguyen, BSV def. Cody West, CMR, dec. 9-7; Cody Tally, KAL def. Tate Morgan, BSV, tech. fall, 16-0; David Demo, BOZ def. David Schmitt, BWH, tech. fall, 18-2.

125 - Joaquin Valderon, KAL def. Taylor Anderson, BOZ, pin, 4:52; Mike Budeski, CMR def. Steel Hahn, KAL, pin, 5:14; Niko Guyman, HEL def. Cole Kratochvil, BSV, major dec. 14-6; Tanner Sprenkle, BSH def. Tyler Christians, HEL, major dec. 17-8.

130 - Shaw Lau, KAL def. Tyler Hendrickson, GLR, pin, 1:39; Kyle Taranto, BOZ def. Ezekiel Concepcion, BOZ, tech. fall, 15-0; Simon Asay, CAP def. Jacob Coklin, MBS, pin, 3:15; Brice Gretch, BSV def. Jon Hagstgrom, BSH, pin, 1:37.

135 - Tanner Beaman, KAL def. Zech Shalz, GFH, dec. 5-1; Tucker Sprenkle, BSH def. Austin Bailey, CMR, major dec. 9-1; Kooper Bond, def. Shane St. Onge, GLR, dec. 9-3; Marshal Carpenter, def. Jordan Nelson, GLR, dec. 10-4.

140 - Ben Sulser, BSH def. Jake Dallaserra, BSH, pin, 4-2; Mitch Rohrback, CMR def. Kelly Olds, CMR, injury def.;

Cory Champney, BSV def. Dan Jenkins, KAL, dec. 2-1; Michael Carpenter, BOZ def. P J Neary, BWH, pin, 2:35.

145 - Caleb Allen-Schmid, KAL def. Jimmy Netz, CMR, pin, 4:23; Nash Hallfrisch, CMR def. Julian Wichman, GFH, dec. 9-2; Joe Powell, BOZ def. Josh Seeberger, MSN, dec. 7-2; Tyler Elm, BSV def. J T Street, HEL, major dec. 14-5.

152 - Larry Francis, GLR def. Tanner Woodland, GLR, dec. 8-3; Shawn Rohrer, BSV def. Steven Mantel, KAL, dec. 8-4; Trylan Wassman, GFH def. Greg Wyatt, BSH, dec. 8-6; Ryan Thiel, KAL def. D. J. St. John, MHG, pin, 3:18.

160 - Joey Mancusuo, BSV def. Clayton Hamilton, GLR, pin, 4:23; Steven DeYoung, MHG def. Ron Bray, BSH, pin, 3:32; Josh Hamilton, MSN def. Zach Fellows, BUT, dec. 7-0; Bryce Stacy, KAL def. Jacob Silberling, HEL, pin, 2:46.

171 - Tanen Doty, MSN def. Ryan Otto, CMR, pin, 3:05; Garrett Bergum, BSV def. Chris Sowell, CMR, dec. 8-4; Ian Damon, KAL def. Tait Strom, CAP, dec. 9-5; Maxx Galland, GFH def. Cody Hert, BSH, pin, 1:38.

189 - Kody Reed, MBS def. Boyce Ballard, GLR, pin, :23; Carson Hilliard, BSV def. Jordan Creveling, MSN, major dec. 12-4; Jace Prideaux, MSN def. Lance Wilkinson, BSH, dec. 7-2; Zach Wichman, GFH def. Dyami Bartholomew, BOZ, pin, :50.

215 - John Frandsen, GLR def. Mike Nelson, CMR, major dec. 13-3; Matt Cable, GFH def. Jacob Berry, BSV, forfeit; Bentley Alsup, MSN def. Paul Streich, KAL, pin, 1:50; Justin Prevost, BSV def. Cameron Carpenter, GFH, dec. 8-6.

Hwt - Toby Erickson, HEL def. Dan Gilbert, GLR, pin, :29; Burton Schilling, MSN def. Kasey Smith, BSH, pin, 3:01; Tyler Thomas, KAL def. Connor Thomas, KAL, pin, :11; Josh Zimmer, GFH def. Joel Horn, GLR, pin, 1:07.

First round consolation

98 - Austin Lundin, CAP def. Woody Buck, CMR, dec. 8-5; Eric Ibarra, BOZ def. Jake Kinkel, KAL, dec. 8-5; Tayte Wegner, BSH, bye; Jim Mayer, HEL def. Tucker Schmidt, MBS, pin, :37.

105 - Ian Collins, BSH def. Lucas Ferguson, HEL, pin, 5:02; Luke Davenport, MSN def. Wyatt Boyer, HEL, pin, 4:46.

119 - Destin Wassmann, GFH def. David Marne, MSN, dec. 8-6; Jeff Meier, MSN def. Ryan Hover, MHG, pin, 1:55;

Justin Rowling, BUT def. Cooper Sipe, GLR, major dec. 13-2; Kyle Webster, CAP def. Markle Quinn, CAP, injury def.

125 - Nate Long, BWH def. Dexter Orr, GLR, dec. 11-6; Tony Grubb, CMR def. Sancho RidesattheDoor, MHG, dec. 7-2; Tyler Langford, BSV def. Jacob Preston, MBS, pin, :59; Chris Renz, BUT def. Cody Murphy, CAP, pin, 2:24.

130 - Natty Lambert, BOZ def. Jake Tri, CMR, major dec. 9-1; Sam Whisonant, MHG def. Issac Assay, CAP, dec. 9-2; Stephen Horn, GFH def. Jake Dickson, CMR, pin, 2:48; Jarred Maddio, HEL def. Gabe LeCroix, MSN, pin, :51.

135 - Guy Nordal, CAP def. Chris Contreraz, BSH, dec. 10-9; Kyle Moyer, MBS def. Sean King, MSN, major dec. 11-4; Cody LeProwse, BUT def. Joe Bogard, HEL, pin, 2:09; Sman Wavra, CMR def. Wade Robinson, KAL, pin, 4:37.

140 - Ryan Fuss, HEL def. Justin Mikkola, MSN, pin, 3:59; Nick Nordwick, MHG def. Riley Pisk, GLR, dec. 5-1;

Jeremiah Gaiser, KAL def. Phil Margart, GFH, pin, 2;14; Casey McMillon, MBS def. Lane Armstong, GLR, dec. 8-4.

145 - Caleb Spangler, CAP def. Josh Allestead, GFH, pin, 1:13; Lucas Cummings, GLR def. Travis Woodland, GLR, pin, 2:27; Tyler West, BSV def. David Degarmo, MSN, major dec. 11-2; Alec Ziegler, BSH def. Erik Dewing, MHG, major dec. 15-0.

152 - Pat Legg, CAP def. Hunter Chandler, BOZ, dec. 5-1; Mason Williamson, BSH def. Mike Baker, BWH, major dec. 9-1; Kale Kamerzel, HEL def. Joe Lesofski, HEL, pin, 3:14; Zach Larchick, BSV def. Blane Cotton, CMR, injury def.

160 - Dalton Kramarich, CMR def. Giovanni Pegues, MSN, pin, 3:41; Crew Johnson, BOZ def. David Kersten, BWH, pin, 2:09; Mike Edwards, BSV def. Josh Edwards, GLR, pin, 3:05; Charlie Bartram, GFH def. Trevor Dohlen, CAP, dec. 6-2.

171 - Duncan Aylor, KAL def. Jordan Spoonemore, BWH, pin, 3:55; Brandon Olean, MHG def. Taylor Beto, CAP, pin, 2:27; Sean Peters, BSV def. Nick Wiens, BWH, pin, 2:54; Matt Upham, HEL def. Taylor Heavirland, GLR, pin, :56.

189 - Odaicious Concepcion, BSV def. Kris Robuck, BWH, pin, 2:10; Jonah Franchi, KAL def. Jared Wishard, CMR, pin, :35; Jeff Rudolph, KAL def. Zach Gleason, BUT, dec. 6-4; Cole Jensen, MHG def. Randy Martin, GLR, dec. 11-7.

215 - Shawn Bradshaw, MSN def. Russ Hildreth, BUT, pin, 3:43; Nick Alamia, CAP def. Ben Mead, MHG, dec. 9-4; Doug May, BOZ def. Marc Evans, BOZ, pin, 4:55; Trevor Beaman, KAL def. Mack Sutherland, GLR, pin, 1:48.

Hwt - Sam Pennell, GFH def. Austin Mallott, BOZ, pin, 2:05; Cole Tripp, BUT def. Seth McCracken, MHG, dec. 7-6; Philip Schmidt, BSH def. Cammeron Farrell, CMR, pin, 1:37; Josh Wallis, CAP def. Decker Roberts, BSV, pin, 3:58.