Sanders County Ledger - Your Best Source For Sanders County News

by Annie Wooden

and Jennifer Curran

The Savage Horsemen wrestling team came home with two medals this weekend from the All-Class State tournament in Billings. Coach Jesse Jermyn said, "The state tournament was amazing and there was so much incredible talent."

Johnny Waterbury of Hot Springs finished third at state, finishing an impressive season that included a divisional championship. Waterbury pinned Tommy King of Conrad in 3:19 during the opening round of the 132-pound bracket, and fell in the second period to Stran Lytton of Red Lodge. Waterbury was up 4-0, nearly getting a pin before the clock ran out on the first period. In the quest for the podium, Waterbury then pinned Ivar Radcliffe of Whitehall, the fourth-place finisher at divisional the week prior. Waterbury was unable to connect on shots at Radcliffe in the first period, but took the Whitehall wrestler straight to his back in the second for a pin just 16 seconds into the period. Waterbury then had a divisional rematch with Western B/C/ runner-up Chase Kirkland of Three Forks. The two battled and were tied at three points apiece before Waterbury scored late in the second period and held on for a 7-6 win. Jermyn said that John was winning in his match with Lytton and had a misstep that resulted in his loss. It was his only B/C loss this year.

That set Waterbury against Colstrip's Ty Borge for the consolation final. Waterbury scored the first points of the match with a takedown early in the second period, then proceeded to dominate the match taking a five-point lead in the third and winning third place with a score of 7-2.

Senior Lillian MacDonald finished an impressive wrestling career with a fourth-place finish in Billings. MacDonald pinned her way into the semifinal round, taking Nizhoni Haynes of Polson to the mat in just 1 minute, 4 seconds before pinning Dakota Peterson of East Helena in 2:29. In the semifinal match, MacDonald met Makenzee Neal of Billings West. The two traded points in a close matchup before MacDonald lost by pin. The Plains senior didn't give up, and won a close 9-8 decision over Yasmine Tatsey-McKay of Browning in the consolation semifinal. Tatsey-McKay was up 6-0 at the end of the second period The third period was all MacDOnald, however, as she turned Tatsey-McKay twice for points before Tatsey-McKay scored a reversal. Down by just one point with 45 seconds left, MacDonald scored a reversal of her own to seal the win. Jermyn said that Lily wrestled really well and that the competition is increasing for the girls.

That set up a rematch between Peterson and MacDonald in the consolation final as the two vied for third place. MacDonald got a takedown and nearfall points as the first period was ending to start the second period up 4-0. Peterson came out with force in the second period, however, and pinned MacDonald.

Drew Carey wrestled for the Savage Horsemen in the 132-pound bracket alongside Waterbury, but did not make the podium. Carey came home from state with one win, an impressive first-period pin over Kohner Shipman of Malta. "Drew fell just short of placing," said Jermyn.

Sara Hannum

Johnny Waterbury gets a pin during state wrestling action in Billings

At 126 pounds, Jacob Schulze came home with two state match wins. He won his first match of the state tournament in a 7-4 decision over Nolan Evenson of Red Lodge. Schulze then fell to eventual state champion Decker Milender of Superior. In the consolation bracket, Schulze pinned Diego Long of Thompson Falls in 2:48 before losing a 4-2 decision to Mathias Hoge of Three Forks and missing the podium by one match.

Levi Blood ended his season at the state tournament. While he didn't get a win at state, he ended the season with 11 pins. Brady Schrenk went 1-2 at the state tournament in the 160-pound bracket. Schrenk's win in Billings came with a pin over Kaydence LIttlewolf of Colstrip in 1:52. Coach Jermyn said that Schrenk also fell just short of placing.

"Overall the team was able to reach their goals," said Jermyn. Now that state is over Jermyn will be focusing on Little Guy Wrestling.