Savage Horsemen win Choteau Classic

Last weekend the Savage Horsemen wrestling team traveled to the other side of the mountains for the Choteau Classic wrestling tournament, the largest class B tournament held in the state.

This year, there were 29 teams in attendance. Plains-Hot Springs entered seven wrestlers in the varsity tournament and three into the junior varsity, and the Savage Horsemen won the team race with 139 points, 14 1/2 ahead of Broadwater High School of Townsend. Plains-Hot Springs was the only class C school to finish in the top 10, and the only team in the top five with fewer than 10 wrestlers entered. The Savage Horsemen had six kids in the semifinals and advanced four of them to the championship, and had two champions, two runners up, one third place and one fourth place.

Junior Daniel Uli wrestles at 120 pounds and has been ranked as high as second in the state. He pinned his first two opponents, won his semi final 14-1 and won the championship match against Kolter Shipman of Malta 13-1. Uli improved his unbeaten record to 25-0 by capturing the title.

Sophomore Josiah Vanderwall wrestles at 126 pounds and scored more team points than anyone on the team on the way to winning the Choteau Classic. Vanderwall pinned his first two opponents, won by technical fall in his semifinal match and pinned his opponent in the championship. Vanderwall’s win clenched the team race for the Savage Horsemen.

Senior James Detienne wrestles at 152 pounds and placed second in Choteau. He pinned his way to the finals before meeting the top-ranked wrestler in the state in Dawson Peterman of Fairfield-Simms. Detienne lost on points, 14-8, to finish in second place.

Senior Kane Lawson (160 pounds) also placed second. He pinned his first two opponents and won 3-2 in the semifinal. In the championship, Lawson fell to returning state champion Tanner Stone of Choteau, 9-1.

Junior Luke Lile (145 pounds) captured third place. In the wrestle-backs after a semifinal loss, Lile earned an overtime win to get back in third and fourth where he won the consolation finals 6-4 over Barrett Hansen of Shelby.

Senior Terrence Caldwell (113 pounds) placed fourth, pinning his first opponent before upsetting the top seed in the tournament 9-8 to advance to the semifinals.

Junior Austin Stafford (138 pounds) pinned his first opponent but was beat by the top seed in the quarterfinals to send him to the wrestle-backs.

Wrestlers Conrad Vanderwall (120 pounds), Mason Gannarelli (138 pounds) and Robert Mathers (145 pounds) all wins in the JV tournament.