State tournament wraps up wrestling season
BILLINGS - The Savage Horsemen, Bluehawk, and Red Devil grapplers made the trek to the state wrestling tournament in Billings over the weekend, and displayed their talent and commitment to their respective programs and training regimens over the course of the season, culminating in some memorable matches that left each wrestler more experienced, all the more wiser.
For the Savage Horsemen, a few came close to the championship mat, but for the young men, a few defeats found them.
Heavyweight divisional champ Ben Gorham made his way to the finals in his weight class for B-C, however, he lost to last year’s (and this year’s) state champ, Colstrip’s Tucker Yates. Gorham lost by a fall, when earlier into the match against Yates, he had managed a take-down. This was something Yates had not experienced in the 2012-2013 season, according to head coach Kenny Marjerrison.
“Ben was well with him, and even took him down, but then he got a fall, but he still wrestled well,” Marjerrison said. “There are always ups and downs, and it’s been 11 years since Plains had a kid in the championship, though it didn’t go as well as we hoped it would go.”
Gorham, a junior, will return to the mat next year just as strong - and hungry for a state championship win.
“I really expect Ben, Russell [Kujala], and Logan Goodwin to do well next year,” Marjerrison said.
Kujala, who had an amazing season through out the year, lost in the semi-finals in a 12-5 match against the eventual state champ, Matt Weber. The 125-pounder had pinned Cache Giles in the consolation semi, and then also pinned Connor Rogers in the consolation finals. “But to get five points on the state champion is still a great thing,” Marjerrison said of Kujala’s loss to Weber.
“Russell wrestled extremely well, and he handled it in stride,” Marjerrison said.
The proud head coach also stated his younger wrestlers gained more experience in an arena that hosts hundreds of people, and well over 12 matches at once.
“It can be overwhelming for some, but all the guys were not shaken up by the venue,” Marjerrison said. “We had a great season for a young team, and if we can keep everybody healthy and in school [in the off-season], we’ll be good to go next year.”
As for the Bluehawk wrestlers, a handful were close to placing while one wrestler did succeed. Senior Braxton Eubanks placed fifth in the heavy weight division at the state tournament.
Along with that, a few were close to the spot.
“We had three that were one match away from placing - John Gunderson, Davis Lawson and John Garrahy. Each went two matches,” said Bluehawk head coach Colby Cline who explained that at state a wrestler must win two matches consecutively or win three matches if a loss occurs.
The Red Devils sent three wrestlers to state but were unable to secure any placers.
“Those guys wrestled hard but we weren’t able to come up with any wins,” said head coach Ben Ulrick.
Next year Ulrick expects nine returning wrestlers.
For the wrestling lovers our there, the Bluehawk Wrestling Club is currently practicing for upcoming tournaments. Their first tournament will be in Butte this weekend while the Little Guys wrestling division is going in full swing and will be in Superior on Saturday.