The wrestling season began with a bang for the Hamilton team on Saturday. The Broncs won their own tournament by almost 30 points in the 11-team field. Hamilton picked up championships from Colton Cox at 126 pounds, Easton Albert at 138 pounds, Zach Tompkins at 170 pounds, and Michael Bumgarner at 195 pounds. The bout at 195 pounds was probably the marquee event of the day and featured Bumgarner and another Hamilton/Victor wrestler, Tyler Scheffer. Bumgarner won in a 9-4 decision. Easton Albert came back to win the 138 pound championship after losing to Brett Volkman in the earlier rounds. Volkman finished third in that division.
Stevensville, who is in their inaugural season, made a nice showing and finished with 46 points. Austin Krone took second in the heavyweight division. The team had some good showings from their wrestlers and everyone commented upon their enthusiasm and support they showed their teammates.
Corvallis had their junior varsity at the tournament. Their varsity was at the Mining City Duals in Butte.
Hamilton Invitational
Team standings – 1, Hamilton-Victor, 171; 2, Missoula Big Sky JV, 144; 2, Missoula Hellgate, 144; 4, Kalispell Flathead JV, 97; 5, Florence, 92.5; 6, Polson JV, 82; 7, Whitefish, 72; 8, Drummond-Philipsburg, 71; 9, Stevensville, 46; 10, Missoula Sentinel JV, 31; 11, Corvallis-Darby JV, 30.
Individuals
98 – Championship – Fabian Calderon, FH, pinned Garrett Passey, Ham, 1:02
120 – Third place – Austin Gabbert, FH, pinned Sean Galloway, Cor, :55.
126 – Championship – Coltin Cox, Ham, pinned Derek Baker, MHG, 2:59.
132 – Championship – Torren Lawson, Flo, dec. Steven Scheffer, Ham, 6-3.
Third place – Robert Few, Ham, dec. Dean Klakken, Flo, 7-4.
138 – Championship – Easton Albert, Ham, pinned Alex Helgeson, Pol, 2:51.
Third place – Brett Volkman, Flo, dec. Carter Westphal, BS, 1-0.
160 – Championship – Peyden Prince, D-P, dec. Jace Pancake, Flo, 9-4.
170 – Championship – Zach Tompkins, Ham, pinned Matt Gash-Gilder, FH, 1:08.
182 – Third place – Riley Presswood, Ham, pinned Solomon McCrossin, Cor, 8-0.
195 – Championship – Michael Bumgarner, Ham, dec. Tyler Scheffer, Ham, 9-4.
Third place – Zach Bauer, MHG, dec. Philip Whitney, Ham, 10-8.
220 – Championship – Keenan Hendrickson, Flo, pinned Zach Brown, Ham, :47.
Hwt – Championship – Tyler Brewer, MBS, pinned Austin Krone, Stev, :40.
Third place – Steven Quimby, WF, pinned Cody Knez, Ham, :14.
Eric Hendricksen says
I would like to point out that although Florence took 5th it should be noted that they did it with 9 wrestlers and 5 of the 9 placed third or higher with 2 individual champions.