The Panther wrestling team traveled to Choteau to compete in a two-day tournament Jan. 16 and 17. With 28 Class B and C teams participating, this is one of the toughest competitions in the state.
Jefferson brought a large contingent of 16 wrestlers: Emma Good, Maysa LaFromboise and Daxton Terry at 110 pounds; Isabella Mikesell at 115; Russell Douglas at 118; Breeana Werner at 120; Korbin Rintamaki at 132; Owen Mikesell at 138; Mike Richard and Tim Waples at 144; Cooper Mikesell and Thomas Johnson at 150; Tellen Simanton at 157; Blake Nordlinder at 165; Andrew Rodriguez at 215; and Brayden Tarr at 285.
After two rounds of competition nine had advanced to the quarterfinals, where a win guaranteed a spot on the awards podium. Only Russell Douglas advanced to the semifinals, but there was still the consolation bracket — and there, Jefferson got on a roll. The Panthers went a perfect nine for nine in the final consolation round, with Terry, LaFromboise, Isabella, Owen and Cooper Mikesell, Richard, Simanton, Nordlinder and Rodriguez all winning to qualify for Saturday’s competition. At the end of day one, the Panthers were in 6th place as a team, with the girls in 22nd place.
