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The Savage Horsemen wrestling team got to see some tough competition this weekend, but Coach Shane Angle was happy with their performance as they traveled to Fairfield for duals on Thursday and then to Choteau for the two-day Choteau Classic over the weekend.

Angle’s team is getting more experienced as the season goes on, and it’s showing on the mat. The team placed eighth in the Choteau Classic, with David Schulze finishing top for the team in second place. Schulze suffered his first loss of the season in the championship match against Tommy Sawyer of Anaconda. The championship match at 138 pounds was one for the books as Schulze lost a close 3-2 decision to Sawyer. “It was a tough match that was down to a couple points,” Angle said. “We’re going to replay the video and get a game plan for the next time we meet him.” Schulze’s quest to second place included a pin in 1:19 over Thomas Fortier of Anaconda and a pin in the second period over Dane Hoover of Whitehall. In the semifinal round, the Savage Horseman senior beat Weston Timberman of Columbus in a 14-2 major decision. Schulze went undefeated in his dual matches, with a 7-1 decision and then a pin in the second round against his opponents.

Lilly MacDonald had a winning weekend on the road, pinning all four of her opponents in the Thursday mixer. MacDonald then took the top spot on the podium at 152 pounds in the tournament, pinning her way to the championship. MacDonald pinned Lexi Lunceford of Deer Lodge in 2:12 and made the championship match a quick one with a 35-second pin over Anaconda’s Emilie Williams.

The Savage Horsemen saw tough competition at 132 and 138 pounds. Drew Carey, a sophomore, made it to the quarterfinal round, first with a pin over William Mishler of Simms. Carey then met Layne Carter of Fairfield, falling in the second period. Carey also lost to Carter 2-8 in the duals on Thursday, and lost to another Fairfield wrestler in his second match in the duals. “It was a big eye opener,” Angle said. “We’re seeing kids we haven’t seen this year and that’s good. We haven’t seen a lot from the central or eastern parts of the state until now.” Sky Van Der Gang also wrestled for Plains at 132, and Angle said he is constantly improving. Van Der Gang was able to wrestle in the jv tournament in Choteau, adding more matches and experience to his career.

John Waterbury of Hot Springs wrestled at 126, getting back into competition after recovering from an injury. Waterbuy ended the Choteau Classic in fourth place, having to wrestle Nate Wadlow of Cascade three times over the weekend. Angle said the consolation final between Waterbury and Wadlow was a battle and both wrestlers have similar methods.

At 160 pounds, Spur Ryan went 1-1 in the dual matches, pinning an opponent from Cascade and then losing to a Fort Benton wrestler who he met against Saturday at the Classic. Ryan was one match away from placing in the Classic and Angle saw improvement in Ryan’s second match against the Fort Benton competitor. “Our intention was to wear him down and it was working,” Angle said of Ryan’s final Choteau match.

August Courville lost his matches in the Choteau Classic, but made a valiant effort in the final period of his second match. He ended up losing 8-6, but scored all of his points in the third period. Also at 103 pounds, Gavin Schrenk finished in sixth place, pinning his first two opponents before losing in the semifinal rounds and battling back in the consolation bracket. Will James Courville was another wrestler to see the same competition in the dual and the tournament, meeting Mike Leach from Simms both days. Courville won his first match in the duals by pin, but then lost to Leach 4-2. Courville had to forfeit against Leach in the tournament due to an injury, but he told his coach he’s finally found his groove. “That’s good to hear from a wrestler,” Angle said.

Brynn Courville went 1-1 at the Classic after not getting any matches in the duals. Courville lost to Mariah Wahl of Cut Bank, who Angle said is probably the top-ranked girl at 132. “It was nice to get on the mat with Wahl and see that competition,” Angle noted.

The Savage Horsemen were without Brady Schrenk and Taylor Angle in Choteau. The Plains/Hot Springs team has a busy week coming as the girls were scheduled to travel to Ronan Tuesday for a mixer in which everyone would see two matches. On Friday, Plains will host Valier, Arlee, Shelby and Mission/Charlo for a mixer and then the team will compete in the Ted Kato Invitational in Thompson Falls on Saturday.