The growth of wrestling in the area has been mirrored in the new coop team joining Boulder Elementary and the Clancy School, which is new to the sport. The combined team boasts 40 athletes, many of them trying wrestling for the first time – and gaining experience and confidence with each match.
In its first tournament in Butte, February 22, the Boulder/Clancy team won several matches and finished with two placers. Keaton Poulsen was 5th at 138 pounds while Kody Kerrick was 6th at 195 pounds. The sqaud finished in 18th place out of 31 schools.
On February 29, the junior high wrestlers traveled to Belgrade for a dual team tournament. Competing for Boulder/Clancy were Liam Carroll at 85 pounds, Colin Field at 95 pounds, Caleb Wilson at 100 pounds, Matthew Zelenka at 105 pounds, Dayton Brown at 110 pounds, Jeremiah Meskimen at 115 pounds, Kylar Rintamaki at 120 pounds, Christian Gilmore at 125 pounds, Raynger Schake at 130 pounds, Keaton Poulsen at 135 pounds, Bridger Niemeir at 140 pounds, Ava Hardesty at 150 pounds, Henry Howard at 165 pounds, Saphirah Rowe at 185 pounds and Patrick Robinson at HWT.
In the first dual of the day, the Boulder/Clancy wrestlers defeated Bozeman #2 72-30. Their second dual pit them against a very experienced Butte team. Boulder/Clancy had some close matches but was unable to produce a single win in a lopsided 117-0 loss.
That result put Boulder/Clancy into the consolation bracket, where it squared off against Renegade #2, a combination of wrestlers from other teams. This time Boulder/Clancy came out on fire, dominating for a 102-18 dual victory.
The final dual was against Dillon. The Boulder/Clancy team fell behind in the first half, before the momentum changed, and they got rolling themselves. But the wrestlers came up just a little short, losing 67-48. Boulder/Clancy ended the tourney in 7th place out of 15 teams, one of the highest finishers among the small schools that participated.
This week will be very busy as well. On March 5, the wrestlers travel to Anaconda to compete in a mixer and duals. On March 7 they’ll be in Dillon for a tournament.
Jefferson Wrestling Club
The newly formed Jefferson Wrestling Club has been busy the last two weeks preparing for tournaments. Currently the club is comprised of high school-aged wrestlers, but when the Little Guy and Junior High seasons are over, the club will be open to all ages from 4 years old.
At the Butte Cyclops Tournament February 23, Leo Anderson placed first at 106 pounds. Teammate Braeden Jones was fifth at 160 pounds. On March 1, the wrestlers traveled to Three Forks to compete in the Missouri River Rumble. Both Anderson and Jones emerged as champions, each going 3-0 with all wins by pin.
The next action for the Jefferson wrestling club will be the AAU Folkstyle State Championships in Great Falls on March 14 and 15.
