Ringing in the New Year with area rivalry games

by John Heglie Special For Leader
| January 2, 2020 11:28 AM

Among many ways to ring in a new year, one resolution might involve attending some area rivalry wrangles.

Here’s a look at this weekend’s games:

Wrestling

Western Montana

duals at Ronan

Friday-Saturday

The first weekend of the New Year will feature the Western Montana Duals hosted by Ronan. The Mission Valley area teams of the Ronan Chiefs, Polson Pirates and Mission-Charlo Bulldogs are all slated to be in attendance.

A representative sampling of some of the wrestlers in attendance:

The Mission-Charlo Bulldogs feature a quintet of ranked wrestlers according to the latest poll.

Isaiah Allik (170, 15-0) has been wrestling at the top of his game the month of December, sweeping through his competition as he won three tournaments, which include ten pins, a decision and a pair of forfeits. Allik’s ranking has ranged between second and third for his weight class.

Isaac DuMontier (145, 15-3) has wrestled his way into runnerup in the championship of two tournaments and won the consolation championship at another for third. DuMontier’s ranking thus far has moved up from third to second for his weight class.

Darwin Adams (152, 13-3) has made the championship of each of his December tournaments, placing second at a pair and most recently taking the top prize at Corvallis. Adams is currently ranked fourth, having ranged as high as second in his weight class.

Also ranked are Walker Murphy (126, 9-7), who placed at two tournaments (2nd, 6th), and Ethan Diaz (160), who most recently won the consolation championship.

Lurking just off the ranking grid are Troy Matt (182, 14-6) and Miles Anderson (205, 11-6).

The Polson Pirates feature a quartet of ranked wrestlers according to the most recent poll. Braedon Iliff (103, 10-7) and Kedrick Baker (126, 7-3) both made the championship at the end of the calendar year tournament, Baker winning the championship.

Both also placed at the season opening Owen Invitational. Baker enters the new year ranked fifth, Iliff sixth.

Two others who are just off the grid include Logan Adler (170, 10-4) and Caleb Pierre, Polson (152, 9-5), who both advanced into the championship of their closing December tournament.

The Ronan Chiefs (Ron) feature a pair of grapplers ranked among the most recent poll. Freshmen Caleb Cheff (132, 8-6) comes in ranked third in his weight class, while Jesse LittleBoy (205, 3-2) retains the number six spot despite not wrestling in the most recent December action.

Two Chief wrestlers who are knocking at the door of gaining a foothold on one of the rungs of the wrestling ranking ladder include Daniel Collins-Bishop (170, 8-8) and James Kenelty (126, 4-4).

The Arlee Warriors haven’t had a wrestler crack the top six grid as of yet, but a trio who may make the list if they keep wrestling the way they have thus far include Colt Crawford (145, 13-4), Jace Samsel (132, 10-5) and Demitrix Austin (160, 8-3).

Note: cumulative records cited may not be comprehensive on account of untallied results.

Basketball

Charlo at

Two Eagle River

Girls

The visiting Lady Vikings are currently undefeated.

Charlo’s leading scorers have been Carlee Fryberger, Liev Smith and Destiny Manuel, who have combined for more than 150 points thus far this season with all three cresting the triple century (300) point plateau for varsity career scoring.

The Lady Eagles of Two Eagle are young, recently garnering their first teen tally point producer in their December finale of the previous calendar year when freshman Sara Gardipe scored 13 points.

Boys

The Charlo boys come into the contest with one win, while the Two Eagle boys are looking for their first victory.

Roper Edwards has been the lead scorer thus far into the season, while junior Phil Marquez and freshman Dawson Dumont are tied for second leading scoring honors.

The Eagle boys have been more competitive, their most recent loss within two possessions.

Compared to the same juncture last year, Two Eagle has almost doubled their point productivity. Eagle leading scorers Michael Brown and Anthony Charlo have collaborated on over a hundred points thus far this season.