Troy gets first mat crown; Greenchain claim three top-five finishes

Taking a break from practice two days before the Northwestern A divisional tournament in Libby, Greenchain junior Garret Chapel said he saw no reason why he could not win the state title.

At the time Chapel was ranked fourth in the state at 170 pounds. With a rematch against Polson senior Tel Motichka — ranked just ahead of Chapel at third — looming, Chapel did not waver when he said he simply had to control the match and avoid mistakes to claim the divisional title.

Two days later Chapel beat Motichka 6-5 and claimed his spot atop the podium as the best 170-pounder in the region. On Saturday in Billings, Chapel stood tall again, this time as the best 170-pound wrestler in the state.

 Wrestling against Sidney’s Cody Christian, Chapel thought he earned a first-round pin when the referee slapped the mat while Chapel held Christian’s back to the floor. As Chapel celebrated, the outside referee — there are two officials in divisional and state competitions — discussed the call with his interior partner. After deliberation, it was determined that Chapel used an illegal hold. The match would continue.

“I’ve never seen anything like it before,” Greenchain Coach Kelly Morford said. “Everyone I’ve talked to said they’ve never seen it. As I talked to the refs, (Assistant) Coach (John) Love talked to Garret and calmed him down.”

Up 8-1 when the illegal hold call was made, Chapel went on to display steely reserve worthy of a champion in the next two periods, controlling his opponent with his long, powerful arms. When the third period ended, Chapel became Troy’s first state champion, winning 10-5.

“Credit Garret for staying mentally stable there,” Morford said. “It’s not an easy situation to think you’ve won the state championship and have to wrestle for two more periods.”

When the buzzer sounded, Chapel ran to his father, Joshua Chapel, and the two wrapped for a bear hug they will never forget.

“It was really cool to watch them share that moment,” Morford said.

Chapel’s title was the crowning achievement in a strong weekend for the Greenchain. Despite dwindling participation, the team finished 12th in the state overall behind a third-place finish by junior Zach Crace at 138 pounds and a fifth-place finish by senior Skyler Higareda at 132.

Crace lost 3-2 to eventual state runner-up Jordan Stevens of Sidney. Perhaps venting a bit of frustration, Crace would respond by pinning Belgrade’s Lyle Degen in 36 seconds to earn third. After placing fifth and third in his first two seasons, Crace made no effort to hide his disappointment. He wanted that state title.

“Zach was in one of the most difficult weight classes in the state,” Morford said. “He just couldn’t open it up enough to get a move in to tilt the scales. He wrestled really solid and lost to a quality wrestler. He has nothing to hang his head about. I know it lit a fire for him to come back next year and break through. I know he will reach his goal next year.”

Higareda realized his goal of a top-five finish. After losing by pin fall to Belgrade’s Jarrett Degen, Higareda tasted sweet revenge against Columbia Falls’ Haze Bell in the fifth-place match, which he dominated for a 3-0 victory. Only a week ago at the divisional tournament, Bell edged Higareda 3-1 for the divisional title.

“Skyler put in a lot of hard work and sweat,” Morford said. “I was happy to see him be paid with an All-State performance.”

Junior 120-pounder Dylan Roby went 1-2 at the tournament. Freshmen Dylan Parrish and Braydan Thom earned valuable experience.

“Those younger guys on our team are going to have good things in their future and they will go back to the state tournament,” Morford said. “They’re going to win some matches and hopefully earn some placings. I look forward to a strong group next year and moving in the right direction.”

Havre claimed the team state title with 294.5 points and four state champs.