Greenchain earn pins, eye home divisional

The Greenchain dominated the mat during their final regular-season dual of the year when they hosted Whitefish on Tuesday.

The Bulldogs won the dual behind forfeits at five weight classes, but five-of- seven Greenchain grapplers recorded pins.

Dylan Roby began a streak of three straight pins for the host when he pinned fellow 126-pounder Garrett Rice near the end of the second period. Roby earned an early takedown in the first period and spent most of the frame bending Rice like a pretzel. But a late reversal by Rice and a near-fall of his own made it an even match after the first period. Roby controlled the second period before earning his win.

A battle of Skylers followed when Greenchain senior Skyler Higareda pinned Whitefish’s Skyler Bowerman late in the third period. The home crowd erupted when the referee’s hand slammed the mat and credited Higareda with his final regular-season win.

At 145 pounds, junior Zach Crace, who recently earned his 100th high-school victory, made quick work of Whitefish captain Judah Prestegaard with a first-round pin. On top of continuing the pin streak, Crace also started another Greenchain trend — lifting his opponent off the ground and slamming him to the mat.

Josh Bowers, the only other Greenchain senior, slammed 160-pound Marcus Jackson before pinning him in the first round.

The final home event also marked Senior Night, during which Higareda and Bowers were honored. Greenchain coaches thanked Bowers for his kind, sincere personality and leadership skills. Higareda was acknowledged for his intense work ethic and “being a fine young man.”

Varsity action ended when Garret Chapel slammed and pinned Travis Catina in the second round. At the end of Chapel’s match, Libby led the dual 30-23.

The Greenchain host the Northwest A Divisional Tournament on Feb. 7-8.

Whitefish 41, Libby 30

98 – open. 113 – James Buckley, W, major dec. Ty Hight, 17-2. 126 – Dylan Roby, L, pinned Garrett Rice, 3:45. 138 – Skyler Higareda, L, pinned Skyler Bowerman, 5:21. 145 – Zach Crace, L, pinned Judah Prestegaard, 1:32. 152 – Matt Sampson, W, pinned Braydan Thom, 2:50. 160 – Josh Bowers, L, pinned Marcus Jackson, 1:20. 170 – Garret Chapel, L, pinned Travis Catina, 2:27. 182 – open. 220 – open.

Whitefish won forfeits at 106, 120, 132, 195 and heavyweight.