RONAN WR RECAP: No fear

RONAN - Ronan wrestlers certainly aren't afraid of a challenge

and it showed last week. The Chiefs faced off against Class AA

Missoula Sentinal and Class A Polson as several of their wrestlers

showed that classifications really don't matter.

On Tuesday, Ronan took on Missoula Sentinal in a makeup dual

since they had an early match canceled with Big Sky high school

because of snow.

RONAN - Ronan wrestlers certainly aren't afraid of a challenge and it showed last week. The Chiefs faced off against Class AA Missoula Sentinal and Class A Polson as several of their wrestlers showed that classifications really don't matter.

On Tuesday, Ronan took on Missoula Sentinal in a makeup dual since they had an early match canceled with Big Sky high school because of snow.

"It's sometimes hard to find a dual for Class B schools because not a whole lot of teams have a full squad," Ronan head coach Dustyn Azure said. "But you don't have that with Class A and AA teams. I think that our wrestlers performed pretty well, I was really happy."

Shelby Grant, Quentin Denton and Colby Roberts form a key core of upperclassman that look very strong.

"Those three are performing really well," Azure said. "They're leaving it out there and getting falls. Those bonus points are huge - those and wrestle backs win tournaments. It doesn't take a mathematician to know that six points for pins are more than three."

Against Sentinel, Ronan picked up three pins in a 48-30 loss. Shelby Grant, Quentin Denton and Colby Roberts all defeated their opponents. Denton's was perhaps most impressive coming against AA-ranked Sawyer DePee.

"Quentin has been improving week after week," Azure said. "We bumped him up again in weight and went out and got a fall."

Ronan then faced Class A and Mission Valley rival Polson on Friday night. Polson pulled out the narrow 43-36 victory but both teams picked up five wins in the dual.

Dustin Goldsby, Grant, Roberts, Michael Irvine and Brandon Dumont all picked up pins against the Pirates and Denton also picked up an exhibition pin. Azure was impressed with Dumont's win over Drew Fouty, a grappler that had previously had his number.

"Brandon wrestled a kid that he had lost to the last two times and he went out and got the pin," Azure said.

Over the weekend at the Darby tournament, Ronan had a slew of top placers and finished second place at the tournament as a team. Finishing behind just Class A power Corvallis, the Chiefs placed ahead of teams they'll be battling next week at the Western B/C Divisionals.

Chase Rhine (112), Goldsby (152) and Roberts (189) won their divisions for the Chiefs and Dumont (125) and Denton (160) took second place. Lauren Christopher (140) and Connor Benn (130) placed fourth, wrestling back through the bracket and earning more points for their team.

"Those wrestle backs were important," Azure said. "Those are how tournaments are won. It says alot about the kid as an individual and the program. You can score a lot of points when wrestling back because you have to wrestle more matches and since they've also had a loss, it comes down to who wants it more and some kids will just roll over in a match and you can get a pin."

Next week Ronan will travel to Phillipsburg for the Western B-C Divisionals where Azure expects Ronan, Mission-Charlo, Thompson Falls and Eureka to be contenders. It will be a numbers game too, as the more wrestlers you have, the more chances you have at scoring. The Darby tournament was a good preview of Ronan's depth going into next week and Azure likes the way his team is coming along.

"The numbers are important for team points," Azure said. "It's very important to keep those team points high. We're all excited and hopefully we'll have all cylinders firing."

Missoula Sentinel 48, Ronan 30

125 - Dylan Schulte, S, pinned Brandon DuMont, 4:18; 140 - Gabe LaCroix, S, pinned Loren Christopher, :15; 152 - Joey Hiett, S, pinned Dustin Goldsby, 2:55; 160 - Shelby Grant, R, pinned Michael Cloud, 4:50; 171 - Quentin Denton, R, pinned Sawyer DePee, 4:42; 189 - Colby Roberts, R, pinned T.J. Bordner, 2:35; 215 - Tanner Price, S, pinned Michael Irvine, 1:44; Hwt - Matt Brownlow, S, pinned Timber Schauss, :52. Ronan won 105, 112 by forfeit.

Sentinel won 130, 135, 145 by forfeit.

Polson 43, Ronan 36

98 - Alex Helegsen, P, pinned Trae Garcia, 5:47; 112 - Carlos Quinones, P, dec. Chase Rhine, 8-1; 125 - Craig Feistner, P, pinned Connor Benn, :25; 130 - Brandon Dumont, R, pinned Drew Fouty, 1:35; 140 - Alex Nystrom, P, pinned Lauren Christopher, 2:22; 145 - Tel Motichka, P, maj. dec. Ronny Cullis, 18-4; 152 - Dustin Goldsby, R, pinned Jared Young, 1:32; 160 - Shelby Grant, R, pinned Mike Devlin, :50, 189 - Colby Roberts, R,. pinned Marlin Burke, 1:29; 215 - Michael Irvine, R, pinned Kaleb Auld, 2:16; Hwt Polson wins forfeit. Polson won 119, 135, and Hwt by forfeit. Ronan won 171 by forfeit. 105 was a double forfeit.