Chief team takes second
Photo courtesy of Janie Bick Ronan sophomore Micky Cheff in action at the State Wrestling Tournament in Billings last week. Cheff finished third in the 130-pound bracket.
By Trent Makela / Leader Staff
The Ronan Chiefs grabbed the second-highest team score at the All Class State Wrestling Tournament in Billings last weekend, despite not garnering a single individual title. Junior Zach Robinson was the lone Chief to reach the tournament's finals, falling by pin to Havre junior Chris Recio in the 105-pound division.
"What a great year with a 35-3 record," Ronan coach Ryan Fisher said. "His only losses all year came from the same kid, Chris Recio of Havre."
Seven other Ronan wrestlers placed in the tournament, racking up four wins in third-fourth matches.
Cameron Neiss had a heart-breaking tournament, finishing in third behind two wrestlers he had defeated at 112-pounds earlier in the year.
Micky Cheff had a tough draw. Having beaten the top seeds on the other side of the 130-pound bracket, he faced a gauntlet of elite wrestlers to earn a third-place finish.
Toby Cheff also had to get through some of the toughest kids in the state, eventually grabbing third in the 140-pound bracket.
Josh Krantz finished a solid senior season with an impressive third-place run at 171-pounds.
"I'm proud of his finish, but more so of the path he has take there," Fisher said.
Frank Swan placed fourth for the Chiefs at 215 pounds, freshman Cole McArthur took fifth at 135 and Tyson Noyes snagged sixth at 125.
"We came into this season with some lofty goals and had the work ethic to achieve them," Fisher said. "They gave me everything they could and I can't ask for anything more than that."