Ronan wrestlers end 2009 on a high note

ST. IGNATIUS — The Ronan wrestling team is heading into the new year with two wins.

Last Tuesday, the Chiefs beat two fellow Lake County foes to end 2009.

Against Mission, five Chiefs registered pins en route to the 54-18 win.

Junior Dilan Starkel, at 140, needed 2:14 to earn his win, the shortest of the dual. Junior Toby Cheff, at 189 pound, needed 2:27 to register his pin and at 98 pounds, freshman Lukas Conklin needed 2:33. Senior Tyler Wheeler and junior Cole McArthur also earned points with pins.

Senior Micky Cheff won with a 6-4 decision over Mission’s Jame Peterson in the 152-pound clash and freshman Shelby Grant won 8-4 over Scotty Gilleard at 130.

The second dual matched Ronan against Arlee, ending in a closer 39-20 win for the Chiefs.

Four pins led the way for the Chiefs.

Junior Aaron Yazzie, at 275, needed only 54 seconds to take down Jordan Plant. Grant needed one minute, Toby Cheff needed 1:24 and freshman Andrew Teigen needed 4:34 in the 112 match-up.

Wheeler won a 5-1 decision over Damon Cordier at 171.

“It is always good when we go into Christmas break with a couple of wins,” head coach Dustyn Azure said. “We saw more good things than bad, which makes us happy.”

Two individuals are ranked at the top of their weight classes. Senior Cameron Neiss, at 135, and Toby Cheff, at 189, were picked in the latest coaches poll.

As a team, the Chiefs were picked fourth behind Havre, Belgrade and Frenchtown.

Conklin came in fourth at 98, junior Dilan Starkel ended fifth at 145, Micky Cheff took third in 152 and McArthur came in fifth at 160.

Ronan will take time off before traveling to Polson, ranked ninth, on Saturday for a 6:30 p.m. dual.