Three Libby wrestlers claim state titles
Courtesy Photo Two of the three state champions from Libby were available for a photo with their brackets in hand, Mitch Haugen, left, and Zach Crace. Not pictured is Eric Thrift. For a photo of other wrestlers, go online to thewesternnews.com and click on "Photos" for the photo galleries. Various action photos from state are also posted online.
Zach Crace, Mitch Haugen and Eric Thrift each claimed state youth wrestling titles on Saturday at the Western Montana Championships.
Thrift finished his season unbeaten by downing his opponent in the Middle 166 finale. Crace took the title at Middle 90 with a 4-0 decision over Jayce Fagerland of Columbia Falls – an opponent responsible for Crace’s only loss this season. And Haugen won by a 5-2 count in the finals at Junior 119.
The Libby Wrestling Club qualified 21 athletes for the tournament with seven reaching the finals. Runners-up included Kody Bailey (Novice 124), Michael Miller (Middle 105), Josh Bowers (Middle 130) and Austin Bailey (Junior 145).
Wrestlers in the Beginner division competed on Friday in its Tournament of Champions. Libby’s top placing came at 45 pounds where Dillon Yeadon took fifth.
The team now turns its attention to the freestyle/Greco-Roman portion of its season. This weekend, the team will head to Spokane, Wash., for the Quad State Viper freestyle tourney.
Tournament of Champions
Friday at Columbia Falls
Beginner Division
45 – 5, Dillon Yeadon.
55 – 7, Owen Cook.
75 – 7, Tucker Schatz.
85 – 7, Dillon Koehler.
Western Montana Championships
Saturday at Columbia Falls
Novice Division
124 – 2, Kody Bailey.
Middle Division
70 – 9, Cody Williams.
75 – 9, Dylan Roby.
80 – 3, Johnny Davidson.
85 – 9, Isaiah Sickler.
90 – 1, Zach Crace; 13, Dominic Voorhies.
95 – 4, Tyler Badertscher.
100 – 5, Garret Chapel.
105 – 2, Michael Miller.
130 – 2, Josh Bowers; 13, Cody Barrick.
166 – 1, Eric Thrift; 4, Michael Dennison; 9, Josh McGough.
Junior Division
100 – 5, Levi Erickson.
119 – 1, Mitch Haugen.
125 – 5, Josh Massey; 7, Christian Dewine.
130 – 9, Aundre Condit.
145 – 2, Austin Bailey.
160 – 9, Gunner Moe.