Ronan wrestlers falter in Lewistown

LEWISTOWN — The Ronan wrestling team wanted to make a statement to the eastern portion of Montana last weekend.

“We wanted to let them know that once they stepped on the mat with us, it was going to be a dog fight,” head coach Dustyn Azure said.

Things didn’t quite work out that way. The Chiefs went 4-1 at the Lewistown Class A duals.

After traveling through the night last Thursday, Ronan arrived at 2 a.m. in Great Falls. The wrestlers slept for a few hours before waking up and arriving to weigh in.

“This wasn’t our best showing,” Azure said. “We were flat on our feet. The traveling might have been a factor, but that is no excuse.”

Third-ranked Ronan beat Butte Central 66-5 as Ronan won 10 weights by forfeit, with only two matches contested.

Junior Toby Cheff earned a pin in the 189-pound match.

Next up was No. 8 Laurel, where Ronan lost 57-28.

“Our guys just weren’t ready for that,” Azure said. “They took it to us.”

Junior Cole McArthur won a 15-7 decision and junior Toby Cheff earned a pin in 33 seconds for Ronan’s only two wins.

Ronan bounced back with three team wins to finish the tournament.

In a 38-33 win over Lewistown, Toby Cheff and freshman Kyle Lawson earned pins while seniors Micky Cheff and Cameron Neiss won by decisions.

Next was a 37-25 win over Hardin. At 98 pounds, freshman Lukas Conklin won a 7-6 decision and Micky Cheff won a tech fall 19-4. Neiss, sophomore Dustin Goldsby and McArthur each notched  second period pins.

To close out the tournament, Ronan beat Miles City 42-39. Neiss and McArthur each earned pins.

Micky Cheff took on Shane Cooley, of Miles City, who is the No. 1 ranked wrestler at 145 pounds. Cooley moved up to wrestle Micky at 152 pounds where Micky pinned him in the third period.

“It was the best I’ve seen Micky wrestle all year,” Azure said. “He looked like the Micky of last year.”

Toby Cheff and Neiss were the only Chiefs to go undefeated during the tournament, while the grueling schedule has taken its toll on the younger wrestlers.

“It was a good eye opening,” Azure said. “I think the younger ones will turn it around.”

Ronan hosted Whitefish on Tuesday night and will host Polson on Friday night. Ronan is 1-1 against Polson this season and might be without junior Dilan Starkel, who is battling an injury.

“Its going to be close again, both teams come to wrestle,” Azure said of the upcoming match against the Pirates.