Gold three-peat for Picard

BILLINGS — Brock Picard can now add the phrase “three-time” in front of the words “state champion”.

The Polson senior put an exclamation mark on an already bold-faced wrestling career at the Class A state tournament in Billings last weekend with a 9-4 decision over Libby’s Kyle Sweedman.

“He totally dominated that weight,” head coach Bob Owen said.

Entering the state tournament, Owen correctly predicted Sweedman would be the one to challenge Picard for the title.

“I just kept really confident,” Picard said.

In the first round, Picard pinned Livingston’s Kyle Dirette in the first period before earning another pin in the quarterfinals.

Picard was unable to pin No. 2 ranked wrestler, Levi Cade, of Belgrade, in the semifinals, but won a major decision 11-3.

Entering the state tournament, a place he had been each year in high school, he felt the weight of what he could accomplish.

“I was nervous,” Picard said. “I had two under my belt, but I was really nervous. It was nice to go out with a bang.”

Picard became the second Pirate to stand as a three-time state champion. The last was Pat Owen, coach Owen’s son, who took home his third title in 1999.

“It’s neat,” Owen, who has been coaching for 35 years, said. “It’s kind of a rare thing [to win three state titles].”

 Craig Feistner

In the championship semifinals, Feistner lost to Karson Kukes, of Laurel, 4-0, the No. 5 ranked wrestler entering the tournament.

In the third-place match, he pinned Corvallis’ Chace Malone in the second period.

On the first day, Feistner had two pins, including a 22-second stop in the first round.

In his first state appearance, 98-pound freshman Craig Feistner had a little bit of stage fright on the second day of competition, Owen said.

“I think he let the pressure get to him,” he said. “I think he’s much better than the kid he lost to.”

Kaden Thomas

In what Owen said was his best weekend this year, senior Kaden Thomas worked his way to third place in the heavyweight division.

Thomas opened the tournament with two quick pins. He stopped Livingston’s Kyle Satre in 15 seconds in the first round and Corvallis’ Jeff Markette in one minute.

In a close semifinal match, Thomas lost 1-0 to Havre’s Mitchell Schnittgen, who ended up winning the weight class. 

Thomas worked his way to the third-place match where he pinned Miles City’s Chris Kurkowski.

“He came all the way back to place,” Owen said. “That’s great.”

Jacob Young

In the 135-pound semifinal match, the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked wrestlers, Glendive’s Garrett Tennant and Polson’s Jacob Young, respectively, battled it out for a shot at the championship match.

Unfortunately for Young, No. 1 won.

He lost 9-0 before losing again to Corvallis’ Steven Jessop in the consolation semifinals.

“He lost a heartbreaker in the consolation semifinals,” Owen said. “He lost in the last two seconds.”

Young, who had over 30 wins this season, rebounded with a pin over Belgrade’s Bryce Akers.

Next year, Young will return and “continue to compete for the title,” Owen said.

Josiah Clairmont

Sophomore Josiah Clairmont opened up his state tournament with a 26-second pin over Browning’s Collin Johnson in the 215-pound weight class.

He worked his way to the semifinals, where he lost 1-0 to Havre’s Mitchell Schnittgen.

“He had a close match,” Owen said. “It was a real close one.”

In the consolation semifinals, he lost to Hamilton’s Paul Donaldson 12-9 before beating Havre’s Jared Ruttkofsky 8-1 to take fifth.

“He’s just a sophomore,” Owen said. “He will be a contender [next year].”

Ty Fouty

In the toughest weight class at the tournament, senior Ty Fouty came out sixth.

With three returning state champions in the 152-pound mix, Fouty opened with a pin over Glendive’s Jake Scheetz.

“He had a great first day,” Owen said. “We knew it would get tougher that second day.”

In the fifth-place match, Fouty held the lead before he was pinned by a Havre’s Gordon Gifford.

“He got caught and was pinned,” Owen said. “He had a great career here.”

As a team, the Pirates finished fifth

“We did pretty well,” Owen said. “We made top-five.”

With six freshman in the line-up, Owen said he was hopeful for the season.

“The neat thing is that we have most of these kids back next year,” he said.