Western BC wrestling: Bulldogs prep to defend division title
The Mission-Charlo Bulldogs won the Western BC Divisional last season when 11 of their wrestlers placed to capture the team title, edging out Clark Fork by 3.5 points.
Strategic victories over Clark Fork Mountain Cat opponents included pins by Ethan Diaz and Isaiah Allik in their semifinal matches, and by Miles Anderson in the heavyweight championship.
Coach Lyle Cronk is looking forward to the upcoming season.
"We are simply excited to be back on the mat with an excellent group of wrestlers who are eager to learn and improving every day," Cronk said. "We are excited for the opportunity to wrestle several more home dual meets this year and hope fans and classmates will be able to come and see what we can do."
The Bulldogs decorated a trio of divisional champions in Isaac Dumontier (145), Allik (170) and Anderson (205). Three other silver medalists who advanced to their championships were Walker Murphy (126), Darwin Adams (152) and Diaz (160). Bronze medalists who won the consolation championships included Kody Dillard (103), Isaiah Fields (120) and Troy Matt (182). Among these top-three finishers, only Dillard and Fields return, leaving a number of vacancies to fill for the Bulldogs to successfully defend their divisional team title.
The Bulldogs wrapped up last season with five state placers: state champion Isaiah Allik (170), third-place Darwin Adams (152), fifth-place Troy Matt and a pair of sixth-place finishes by Walker Murphy (126) and Canyon Sargent (132) to tie sixth among the team standings.
In addition to Dillard and Fields, other returnees who contended in divisional matchups include Charley Adams (145), Canyon Sargent (152), Chance Bockman (160) and Christian Smith (170).
Junior George Ranney (182) returns with varsity level experience, while junior Deago Hostetler and freshman Codiak Killorn also add some punch to the roster.
Warriors squad small but mighty
Last winter's rendition of the Arlee Warriors placed sixth at the Western BC Divisional on the strength of four of their grapplers battling their way back through wrestlebacks to contend for hardware in the consolation championship itself.
Tyrel Thomas (120) and Colt Crawford (145) captured third-place for bronze, while Jace Samsel (132) and Jon Matt (285) placed fourth. That quartet advanced to the State BC Tournament, but only Colt Crawford succeeded in placing. Crawford won four matches by means of decision to finish fifth.
The program graduated five wrestlers but returns a trio with postseason experience. Returning all-conference junior Tyrel Thomas (103) moves up to 120, while all-stater Colt Crawford (145) will continue to compete within the same weight class. Junior RJ Knoll, who won his first-round divisional match by major decision, ran cross country this fall to remain eligible to compete within his same weight classification.
Sophomore Charley Crawford (160) and freshman Drew Knoll (138) are new recruits.
The preseason is still in its early stages, so Warrior wrestling ranks may yet grow before the first meets commence in January. First-year head coach Paige Carney said he’s optimistic about strength derived from numbers.
"We are small (in numbers), but that gives us more time individually with the boys to help improve on all aspects of wrestling."
