Flathead grapplers 3-0 at Helena Duals, Glacier 2-1

HELENA – The Flathead wrestling team rolled through Class AA competition while going 3-0 at the Helena Duals on Saturday.

The two-time defending Class AA champions dominated Bozeman 65-6 in the opening dual, then followed with convincing victories over Helena Capital (45-21) and Helena High (48-24).

Flathead took care of the Hawks in every weight class except 285, opening the dual with five consecutive pins.

Capital tested the Braves early, taking a 12-9 lead after five matches. But starting with Cole Eastwood’s pin at 103, the Braves pounced on the Bruins with six pins in eight matches.

Jaden MacNeil (152) finished off the dual with a 23-second pin, his second pin of the day.

Against High, Ross Calhoon kicked off the scoring for Flathead with a 28-second pin at 205. The Bengals kept it close but the Braves earned three straight pins from 132-145 to build a 36-12 lead.

Asher Kemppainen (126) lost a tight 11-6 decision to Isaac Romero, a two-time state champion, following wins by pin and technical fall in the first two matches.

“Asher hung right in there with Romero. He made a statement,” Thompson said. “He’s one to be reckoned with.”

Freshman Fin Nadeau (132) and junior Tanner Russell (170) had strong days, each winning all three of their matches.

“He [Nadeau] really impressed us with his mentality on the mat,” Thompson said. He also praised Russell for his “smart” wrestling.

The Braves will dual Missoula Big Sky on Thursday before traveling to Butte for the Mining City Duals next weekend.

Flathead 65, Bozeman 6

103 – Cole Eastwood, F, won by forfeit; 113 – Cole Wieczorek, F, won by forfeit; 120 – Brendan Barnes, F, pinned Felix Petersen, 3:31; 126 – Asher Kemppainen, F, won by technical fall over Bridger Wilkes, 2:42; 132 – Fin Nadeau, F, won by technical fall over Hayden Innis, 5:05; 138 – Dominic Battello, F, dec. Tayloer Wiers, 9-8; 145 – Bo Meyer, F, dec. Ethan Faure, 11-3; 152 – Jaden MacNeil, F, pinned Ray Davis, 3:03; 160 – Zaybin Stewart, F, pinned Zac Renner, 3:22; 170 – Tanner Russell, F, pinned Everest Klein, 4:45; 182 – Paxton Boyce, F, pinned Brooks Talbot, :55; 205 – Ross Calhoon, F, pinned Austin Clowes, 2:23; 285 – Camren Spencer, B, pinned Sebastian Koch, 4:16.

Flathead 45,

Helena Capital 21

103 – Cole Eastwood, F, pinned Richard Johnson, 1:10; 113 – Colton Weiczorek, F, pinned Clayton Wever, 4:17; 120 – Carson DeRosiar, HC, dec. Brendan Barnes, 6-0; 126 – Asher Kemppainen, F, pinned Traeton Duty, :40; 132 – Fin Nadeau, F, pinned Tyler Tobel, 1:44; 138 – Lee Lambrecht, HC, pinned Dominic Battello, 1:58; 145 – Bo Meyer, F, pinned Sam Peterson, 3:21; 152 – Jaden MacNeil, F, pinned Joshua Peterson, :23; 160 – Zaybin Stewart, F, dec. Tristyn Gilliam, 8-2; 170 – Tanner Russell, F, dec. Noah Kovick, 7-0; 182 – Paxton Boyce, F, dec. Jake Slagel, 14-11; 205 – Zane McCormack, HC, pinned Ross Calhoon, 2:24; 286 – Seth Jensen, HC, pinned Sebastian Koch, 1:45.

Flathead 48,

Helena High 24

103 – Cole Eastwood, F, pinned Dawa Elkhart, 1:31; 113 – Cadence Diton, HH, pinned Colton Wieczarek, 1:10; 126 – Isaac Romero, HH, dec. Asher Keppainen, 11-6; 132 – Fin Nadeau, F, pinned Cameron Wyant, 2:45; 138 – Dominic Battello, F, pinned David Kemp, :25; 145 – Bo Meyer, F, pinned Raef Miller, :40; 152 – Colby Howl, HH, won by forfeit; 160 – Devon Crawford, HH, pinned Finn Sullivan, 3:34; 170 – Tanner Russell, F, pinned Kaleb McKay, 1:05; 180 – Jacob Mawibusar, HH, dec. Paxton Boyce, 11-4; 205 – Ross Calhoon, F, pinned Ruger Young, :28; 285 – Sebastian Koch, F, won by forfeit.

Glacier continued its encouraging start to the wrestling season, going 2-1 against Class AA opponents at the Helena Duals on Saturday.

The Wolfpack fell 51-18 to Helena Capital before defeating Helena High 43-24 and Bozeman 43-11.

Tilynne Vasquez (113) had pins of 47 and 39 seconds for Glacier, while Kael Willis (145) and Caden Willis (152) each went 3-0.

“Each time we stepped on the mat we improved and that is what we are striving for,” Glacier coach Ross Dankers said.

He added that Vasquez and Caden Willis had “outstanding days” and praised a “gutty performance” by Kael Willis.

“We’re excited to get back to work on Monday and build on this weekend,” Dankers said.

Helena Capital 51,

Glacier 18

113 – Tilynne Vasquez, G, pinned Clauton Weber, :47; 120 – Carson Derosier, HC, pinned Bridger Beach, 3:30; 126 – Traeton Dutu, HC, pinned Tristan Little, :22; 132 – Tuker Tobel, HC, dec. Lance Fretwell, 14-10; 138 – Lee Lambreant, HC, pinned Royce Conklin, 3:30; 145 – Kael Willis, G, pinned Sam Peterson, 1:34; 152 – Caden Willis, G, pinned Joshua Peterson, :24; 160 – Tristan Gilliam, HC, dec. Caden Gilmond, 12-6; 170 – Noah Kovick, HC, pinned Thomas Crofts, :58; 182 – Jake Shael, HC, pinned Skiler Hitt, 1:09; 205 – Zane McCormick, HC, pinned Colby Martin, 3:59; 285 – Seth Jensen, HC, dec. Tre Krause, 3-1.

Glacier 43, Helena High 24

113 – Tilynne Vasquez, G, pinned Cadence Dixon, :39; 126 – Isaac Romero, HH, pinned Tristan Little, 4:29; 132 – Lance Fretwell, G, pinned Cameron Wyatt; 138 – Royce Conklin, G, pinned David Kemp, 3:18; 145 – Kael Willis, G, pinned Raif Miller, 2:44; 152 – Caden Willis, G, pinned Colby Howell, 1:23; 160 – Devin Crawford, HH, pinned Caden Gilmond, 2:24; 170 – Kaleb McKay, HH, pinned Thomas Crofts, 1:20; 182 – Jacob Mawibusar, HH, pinned Skiler Hitt, 1:07; 205 – Colby Martin, G, pinned Roger Young, 2:51.

Glacier 43, Bozeman 11

120 – Felix Peterson, B, pinned Bridger Beach, 1:33; 126 – Tristan Little, G, pinned Bridget Wilkes, 2:40; 132 – Lance Fretwell, G, dec. Hayden Innis, 13-2; 138 – Taylor Weirs, B, pinned Royce Conklin, 2:38; 145 – Kael Willis, G, dec. Ethan Faure, 13-9; 152 – Caden Willis, G, pinned Ray Davis, 1:45; 160 – Zac Renner, B, pinned Caden Gilmond, 2:36; 170 – Everest Klein, B, pinned Thomas Crofts, :58; 182 – Skiler Hitt, G, pinned Brooks Talbot, 2:01; 205 – Colby Martin, G, pinned Austin Clowes, 4:19; 285 – Tre Krause, G, pinned Cameren Spencer, 1:08.