Class A, B/C Eureka off to fast start

BILLINGS — Eureka continued its remarkable year with a dominant first day at the Montana All-Class State Wrestling Tournament on Friday, moving into first place in Class B/C over defending champ Colstrip.

The Lions hold a 27-point lead and put seven wrestlers into the semifinals, overpowering the upper weights in the opening rounds.

Eureka heavyweight Kaelen Yanak, 205-pounder Joe Fehr and 182-pounder Garrett Graves each earned a pair of pins.

Graves and Yanak were especially fast, each winning their first-round matches in less than a minute and their quarterfinals in the closing second of the first round.

Fehr had to work slightly longer, though not much, earning his first-round win in 1:08 and his quarterfinal victory early in the second round.

“I just wrestled like I always do,” Fehr said. “I’m just keeping my head clear and thinking ahead.”

Colby Hammack (170 pounds) wrestled his way into the semis with a 7-3 decision and Austyn Sherwood (182) is still wrestling in the consolation rounds in a strong performance for the Lions at the heaviest weights.

Earlier, the little guys got things started on the right foot for Eureka, with Kahden Bakkila earning a pair of pins to clinch a spot in the semifinals. Hank Dunn (126), Jonathan Schmidt (138) and Cannan Smith (152) will also wrestle in the semis and Nathan Schmidt (113) and James Dunn (145) join Sherwood in the consolation quarterfinals this morning.

“I’m liking how the team looks,” Fehr said. “We’ve worked pretty hard to get here.”

While sitting in a good spot, the Lions (100 points) still have some work to do with Colstrip (73) pushing five wrestlers into the semifinals with a chance to make up some distance in the team standings.

Ronan (61.5) sits in third place in Class B/C with a pair of wrestlers in the semis: 126-pounder Hunter Peterson and 132-pounder Noah Cheff. The Chiefs also have five wrestlers alive in the consolation quarterfinals.

Libby/Troy (42.0) worked its way into sixth place in wrestlebacks, with just 103-pounder Buddy Doolin making the semifinals. Doolin pinned both of his opponents.

The Greenchain totaled 11 points in the second round of consolation, with five wrestlers earning their way into the second day of competition while boosting their team score two spots in the process.

Bigfork, which won just one of its opening four matches, sits in 30th place with eight points. Vikings 170-pounder Matt Farrier earned his way into the consolation quarterfinals after a tough loss in the championship quarterfinals. Farrier made up for a 3-2 loss with a decision victory to stay alive in the tournament.

In Class A, Columbia Falls has made it relatively close with four-time defending champs Havre and has created separation on third place.

The MatCats have six wrestlers in the semifinals and trail Havre by just 22 1/2 points, though the Blue Ponies have the advantage of having nine wrestlers in the semis. Columbia Falls has a 24 1/2 point lead on third- place Hardin.

Ben Windauer (145), Colton McPhee (160) and Storm Kemppainen (170) all earned two pins to work their way into the semifinals with Winfield West (120), Jakob Freeman (18s) and Kyler Koski (285) joining them after quarterfinal decisions. Austin Nelson (113), Ayden Role (126), Hunter Peterson (132) and Nathan Hader (138) are still wrestling in the consolation bracket.

Polson (59.0) also had a strong first day, sitting in sixth with five wrestlers in the semifinals. Kedrick Baker (103), Bridger Wenzel (126), Parker Adler (138), Cameron Brown (145) and Hunter Fritsch (160) will each wrestle today for a spot in the finals. Mateo Quinones (113) is the only wrestler for the Pirates in the consolation bracket.

Whitefish’s Travis Catina helped his team to a 16th place with a pair of pins and a spot in the semifinals. Bulldogs 132-pounder Dakota Flanerry is the only other teammate still wrestling today, earning an early second round pin in the second consolation round to advance.

Wrestling begins again at 9:30 a.m. today with championship semifinal and consolation quarterfinal matches.

Championships are scheduled to start at 3:15 p.m.