For several Savage Horsemen wrestlers, getting to the state tournament was so close. In a tough Western B-C divisional tournament at Butte last weekend, five Plains wrestlers were just one win away from the podium and qualifying for the state tournament. "They wrestled the best they could and I'm proud of that," Coach Shane Angle said as the Savage Horsemen were preparing for their last practices before heading to the state tournament in Billings later this week.

David Schulze placed first for the Savage Horsemen and John waterbury placed sixth. Those two will compete in billing this weekend along with girls Brynn Courville, Taylor Angle and Lily MacDonald.

At 103 pounds, both August Courville and Gavin Schrenk were one away from the podium, as was Sky Van Der Gang at 132, Will James Courville at 138 pounds and Brady Schrenk at 145 pounds.

David Schulze pinned his way to the championship match at 138 pounds, first beating Thomas Fortier of Anaconda and Caleb Simpson of Cut Bank, both with pins in the first period. In the semifinals, Jeffery Colesworthy of Choteau wrestled Schulze. The Plains senior pinned him in 3:54.

Shulze met Anaconda's Tommy Sawyer in the championship match at divisional. Sawyer had defeated Schulze 4-3 earlier in the season at the Choteau Classic. But Coach Angle said they had a strategy should Sawyer and Schulze meet at divisional. He said the coaches have been working with David on what would work against Sawyer. The two met, and the Savage Horsemen strategy worked. Schulze took the mat with confidence. After no score for either wrestler in the first period, Schulze got the first points in the second period and never looked back. "The third period was all David," Angle said. "It was a very well fought final for David. and dominated Sawyer in an 8-1 decision. The two are now 1-1 for the season and may just get a rematch at the state tournament.

Schulze said he tried to push himself harder and take more shots in the divisional match against Sawyer. The senior said he has set goals throughout his senior season, and beating Sawyer was one of them. Now, his goal is to win a state title. Schulze said his biggest challenge this year was maintaining his weight. "I've enjoyed being with the team, meeting new people. I'm ready for state," he said.

Savage Horseman John Waterbury earned sixth place at divisional and a trip to the state tournament. "He wrestled like a champ over the weekend," Coach Angle said of the freshman from Hot Springs. Waterbury won his first match of the divisional tournament, pinning Kaden Torgenrud of Bigfork in the second period. Waterbury then fell to Jefferson's Cameron Mikesell. In the consolation bracket, Waterbury pinned his way back to a rematch with Mikesell, but the Sanders County wrestlers fell in the second period.

At 132 pounds, Drew Carey pinned his first opponent, but then lost two in a row. Spur Ryan was in one of the largest brackets at the divisional tournament, running into some tough competition. He pinned his first opponent, but was unable to make it to the podium as he wrestled back in the consolation rounds.

Doree Thilmony

Savage Horsemen Spur Ryan wrestles in the Western B-C Divisional meet in Butte last weekend.

Plains-Hot Springs Coach Shane Angle said he is looking forward to the weekend. He will be joined by assistants Cal Courville and Keaton Bannout, who had a baby earlier this season and was unable to be with the team. As for the girls getting to wrestle in the dynamic atmosphere that occurs at MetraPark in Billings, Angle said his team is ready. "They have all wrestled in the offseason and are used to the crowds and noise. This is the big show. I'm glad they get to share it with the boys."

Angle's daughter Taylor is a senior. Earlier this week, he told her state would be the last time she steps on a mat as a Savage Horseman and to let that sink in. "They are as prepared as they are going to be. I'm excited and ready to go," the second-year coach said.