Bravettes sit second while Glacier, others in the hunt
Ronan's Saellah Nomee wrestles Eureka's Samantha Day during the first day of the All-Class State Tournament at First Interstate Arena in Billings on Friday, Feb. 10. (Mike Clark/406mtsports.com)
BILLINGS — Let the record show that the Flathead Bravettes’ hopes of a third straight state wrestling title were in trouble before the 120-pound quarterfinals.
There, Flathead freshman standout Bella Downing had rung up a 7-0 lead after one period against her opponent from Miles City, Grayle Fox.
Five seconds into the second period Downing tossed Fox to the mat and was called for an illegal slam. When Fox couldn’t continue — with Flathead coaches Amber Downing and Jeff Thompson looking on — the Cowgirl was declared the winner by injury default.
“Very unfortunate situation,” Thompson said. “Up 7-0 and was dominating the match, had the girl on her back almost the entire first period.
“And yes, Bella had one of what was on paper considered an illegal slam. It was a very controversial call. It’s a very tough break for Bella; she had a great shot to be a state champion.”
She would have been Flathead’s only semifinalist. While the Bravettes scored 104 points Friday, second only to Billings Senior’s 119, without semifinalists (and prospective finalists), there’s probably not enough ammo to remain the only champion this sport — now in its third year in Montana — has known.
“It can’t happen,” Flathead girls assistant Sully Sullivan said. “We’re currently sitting second, but that’s going to go away pretty quickly in the morning.”
Billings Senior put four in the semis. Butte, third with 96 points after Friday’s action, also had four.
Ronan and Glacier were tied for fourth at 78, and they put four in the semifinals as well.
Glacier’s Brooke Yeadon (107), Kaura Coles (114), Ariana Conklin (114), Jasmine Cartwright (145) all made it; in an upset Madisyn Frazier fell to Miles City’s Trinity Barrus in the quarters.
"The girls had a pretty good day, punching four into the finals," Glacier coach Ross Dankers said. "We are a little bit out of where we wanted to be going into Day 2, but still withing shooting range."
The Maidens pushed four wrestlers into the semis: Saellah Nomee at 100, Katie Dolence at 126, Brynn Courville at 132 and Tirza Two Teeth at heavyweight.
Plains-Hot Springs has one semifinalist: Lillian McDonald picked up two pins at 138.
Full results can be found at trackwrestling.com.