Chiefs down Pirates

By Trent Makela / Leader Staff

The Ronan Chiefs cemented their status as the top team in Northwestern A and downed fellow conference power Polson 43-25 in the final dual of the season for both teams Thursday.

The teams will likely see each other again this Saturday at the Northwestern A Divisional Tournament in Ronan. The first matches will begin at 11 a.m. and continue throughout the day.

The match of the night was in the 125 pound class where Polson's Keio Salmonson led 5-2 against Ronan's Nate Templer entering the third period. A late burst of energy helped Templer push the match into overtime, but he never appeared to regain his breath and Salmonson was able to get into his legs for the 7-5 win.

"I was really pleased with [Keio's] match," Polson coach Bob Owen said. "He wasn't feeling too well going into it and when he pushed it to overtime I thought he was out of gas. That finish was something to watch."

Only three matches were decided by pin on the night, and many could have swung either way in the final period. The Chiefs picked up pins from Cameron Neiss at 119 and Frank Swan at 215. The lone pin for the Pirates came from Brock Picard at 160 pounds.

Wrestling dynasties from each high school also provided exciting matches, as brothers Toby and Micky Cheff from Ronan matched up against Polson siblings Trae and Ty Fouty. Micky picked up the narrow win against Trae at 130 and Toby topped Ty at 140 to complete the family sweep for the Cheffs.

"I was excited for Micky and Trae's match since they haven't wrestled yet this year," Ronan coach Ryan Fisher said. "Trae is number two in the coaches poll and Micky is number three. We're looking to have a good match-up with them at divisionals again."

Both teams should head into the divisional tournament with an extra pep in their step as each wrestler picks up a growth allowance pound and a week off to heal. With the top four wrestlers at each weight moving on from divisionals, the Pirates and Chiefs appear likely to be well represented at the state tournament the following weekend.

"We haven't had to move guys up in weight yet, but we might have to for divisionals," Owen said. "Ronan's the only team in the division with a kid at every weight class, though, so they have to be the favorite."

RONAN 43, POLSON 25

98 - Jesse Alfiero, P, dec. Jesse Robertson, 9-3; 112 - Shawn Medland, P, dec. Ryan Hardy, 6-5; 119 - Cameron Neiss, R, pinned Randy Kelley, 1;42; 125 - Keio Salmonson, P, dec. Nate Templer 7-5, OT; 130 - Micky Cheff, R, dec. Trae Fouty, 6-5; 135 - Cole McArthur, R, dec. Shayne Ludwick, 6-2; 140 - Toby Cheff, R, dec. Ty Fouty, 6-2; 152 - Sheldon Fisher, P, maj. dec. Max Lacy, 16-4; 160 - Brock Picard, P, pinned Ricky Luchau, 2:40; 171 - Josh Krantz, R, dec. Ryley Duford, 13-8. 215 - Frank Swan, R, pinned Skylar Knutson, 2:45.

Ronan won 105, 189, Hwt by forfeit.

Polson won 145 by forfeit.