The Panther wrestling team took top honors in Choteau, where they competed in a two-day tournament on Jan. 13 and 14. This tournament had 26 Class B and C teams participating and is one of the toughest competitions in the state.
Jefferson had thirteen wrestlers entered into the tournament including Dylan Mikesell and Leighton LaFromboise at 120 pounds, Dayton Brown and Reed Zander at 126 pounds, Cooper Mikesell and Mike Richard at 132 pounds, Jace Oxarart at 145 pounds, John Armstrong at 152 pounds, Brady Armstrong at 182 pounds, Jeyden Sullivan and Luke Jackson at 205 pounds, and Kolbe Michaud and Dylan Stevens at 285 pounds. In the first round only Zander and Richard wrestled and they won by pin. In the second round of competition ten of thirteen Panthers advanced with Brown, Cooper Mikesell, Oxarart, both Armstrongs, Sullivan, Michaud and Stevens doing so by pin.
Next up was the quarterfinals where a win would put each respective wrestler into the semifinals and guarantee them a place on the awards podium. Jefferson got on a roll and was able to advance six out of 10 into the semifinals. Both Mikesells, Brown, Oxarart and both Armstrongs were able to punch their ticket to the second day and assure themselves at least sixth place. In the first consolation round Zander, Richard and Jackson advanced by pin and they repeated that performance in the next round as well. The next consolation round would determine who would qualify for the second day of competition. LaFromboise, Sullivan, Jackson and Michaud won by pin while Zander, Richard and Stevens were eliminated. Jefferson put together an incredible first day as they qualified a team-record 10 wrestlers for the second day and were leading the tournament with 128 points. Whitehall was in second place with 117 points. All 13 wrestlers won at least one match by pin, which contributed heavily to the team points.
