Florence was the scene of the Western B/C wrestling divisional on Saturday. Teams from Eureka to Florence competed for a chance to advance to the All Class Wrestling tournament next weekend in Billings at the Metra. Hamilton, Corvallis and Stevensville were in Whitefish for the Western A Divisional.
Florence finished in fifth place with 109 points. Eureka came from behind to top Thompson Falls with 199.5 points. Thompson Falls had 182.5. Ronan was third with 159 and Mission-Charlo was fourth with 112 points. Libby/Troy was sixth followed by Bigfork, Plains/Hot Springs, Arlee and Superior.
Florence will advance five wrestlers on to state. The top four placers in each weight class. Dean Klakken won the 138 division with a pin over Laine Young from Libby at 2:42. Spencer Jones finished third at 170 pounds with a pin at 1:40 minutes. Jace Pancake was third at 182 pounds with a 12-7 decision over Austin Sherwood of Eureka. Jethro Thorne finished fourth at 132 after he lost to Libby’s Reed Christensen in a 10-7 decision. Kyler Pancake was fourth at 138 pounds after Josh Schmitt pinned him at 4:35.
Hamilton finished third behind Columbia Falls and Polson at the Western A Divisional. Columbia Falls roared away with the title with 275.5 points. Polson had 226 points. Hamilton finished with 208.5 points. Stevensville was fourth with 146.5 points. They were followed by Dillon 144.5, Corvallis 143.5, Frenchtown 126, Whitefish 100, and Butte Central 24. The top eight in each weight class will advance to the state tournament.
Hamilton picked up three championships and will advance 15 to the state tournament. Michael Golden won the 113 division with a 4-2 win over Columbia Falls wrestler Winfred West. Justin Hinson won at 205 pounds with a 6-4 decision over Polson’s Mike Corrigan. Stevensville wrestlers earned two championships. Ben Crews took a 10-6 decision over Storm Kemppainen of Columbia Falls at 170 pounds. Jerry Cassidy wrestled teammate Mason Griffin to a 6-4 decision for the championship at 182 pounds.
Championship
113 – Michael Golden, Ham, dec. Winfield West, CF, 4-2.
152 – Jon Blanchard, Ftown, dec. Steven Scheffer, Ham, 5-3.
160 – Patrick Griffin, Dill, dec. Manny Rivera, Ham, 7-1.
170 – Ben Crews, Stevi, dec. Storm Kemppainen, CF, 10-6.
182 – Jerry Cassidy, Stevi, dec. Mason Griffin, Stevi, 6-4.
205 – Justin Hinson, Ham, dec. Mike Corrigan, Pol, 6-4.
285 – Steven Quimby, WF, dec. Luke Channer, Corv, 10-7.
Third place
103 – Austin Nelson, CF, p. Carter Brown, Corv, 0:39.
113 – Dante Venema, Corv, p. Elliot Vanosdell, Stevi, 4:18.
120 – Adrian Garcia, Ham, m.dec. Aden Role, CF, 9-0.
152 – Kye McCollaum, Corv, dec. Colton Cote, Pol, 10-7.
182 – Kyle Anderson, Ham, p. Miguel Garate, CF, 2:28.
205 – Shaun Cassidy, Stevi, p. Travis Catina, WF, 5:00.
285 – Garret Hunt, Corv, p. Nick Marquardt, Pol, 1:39.
Fifth place
103 – Benji Opat, Corv, p. Luke Huffaker, Dill, 4:14.
126 – Dillon Thorsteinson, WF, p. Caden Brown, Ham, 1:27.
132 – Steven Banks, Ham, p. Will Wissenbach, Corv, 2:04.
138 – Jaben Wenzel, Pol, p. Drew Schmitt, Corv, 4:01.
145 – Kris Anderson, Ham, m.dec. Dustin Copeland, Ham, 17-5.
152 – Colton Sweeney, CF, p. Braden Loveless, Stevi, 3:49.
160 – Troy Meyer, CF, dec. Caleb Edens, Stevi, 4-2.