Libby wrestlers dump Stevi; fall to Ronan

The Libby Loggers Greenchain wrestling squad split two matches with Stevensville and Ronan Tuesday night in the home opener.

The Greenchain dumped Stevi, 48-27, before falling to the Chiefs, 48-28.

Before the matches, former Libby educator and wrestling coach Todd Schatz was honored. Schatz died Sept. 15 at the age of 60.

He began teaching in Libby in 1990. He taught English and driver’s education. He coached the Greenchain from 1990 to 2010, serving as the head coach in 1993-94 and 2009-10.

Known for his sense of humor and quick wit, Schatz was one of the original founders of the Libby Little Guy Wrestling Club. Schatz placed third twice at the Montana state wrestling championships in his junior and senior years while wrestling at Superior. 

On the mat, junior Riley Orsborn collected Libby’s first points against Stevensville with a forfeit win at 103 pounds.

The Loggers forfeited 113 to tie it at 6-6. But Libby won the next four matches to build a 30-6 lead.

Sophomore Bridger Bache pinned Jordan Baker in 22 seconds at 120 pounds to begin the win streak. Sophomore Tryp Lisle grabbed a forfeit win at 126 and Jeremiah Thomas did as well at 132 for a 24-6 lead.

At 138 pounds, senior Marley Erickson pinned Brendan Ravencroft in one minute to make it 30-6. 

Senior Zekiah Meyer tangled with Stevi’s Gunnar Larson at 145 pounds. Larson led 5-3 after one period and got a pin at 2:23. At 152, junior Connor Benson fell to Mathias Liedtka, 8-1, and the score was 30-15.

At 160 pounds, sophomore Tanner Wolfe decked Stevi’s Cody Umland in 56 seconds to extend the lead to 21 points, 36-15.

Stevi scored a fall at 170 when Elliott Darnall pinned sophomore Ian Thom in 1:13. Drew Munro grabbed a forfeit win for the Greenchain at 182 pounds to make it 42-21. Senior Jace DeShazer also took a forfeit win at 205 pounds.

The match ended at 285 pounds when Stevi’s Zachary Sannar pinned sophomore Hunter Nelson.

In the Ronan match, Orsborn won by forfeit at 103 and Bache won by forfeit at 120. 

At 138, Erickson claimed an 8-0 major decision win over Jairyn Krause. Erickson nearly pinned the Chiefs wrestler in the first period and led 5-0. 

At 152, Benson’s forfeit win cut the Libby deficit to 24-16. 

At 160 pounds, Wolfe had Ronan’s Nate Young on his back twice in the first period and led 10-2 entering the second period. But Young caught Wolfe and pinned him in 2:42 to extend the Chief lead to 14 points, 30-16.

DeShazer scored Libby’s last win on the mat at 205 when he pinned Masyn Wayman in 1:03.

Greenchain head coach Dean Thompson said after the match he feels the team is alright.

“We’re trying to get kids healed up and get through this week,” Thompson said. “We’re working to get kids more spread out through the lineup and get it more set. We’ve got young kids that are still feeding into what we’re trying to do.”

Thompson, in particular, liked what he has seen of Bache, Erickson, and of course, DeShazer, the two-time defending state champion.

“Bridger is coming along well. He got into the weight room and is a lot stronger and it’s paying off for him,” Thompson said. “Riley is working hard and he’s looking very good.

“Jace is Jace,” Thompson said. “He’s a good leader for us and he is healthy. He’s taking his technique and refining it, so that’s great to watch and for others to see.”

The Greenchain closed the 2023 part of its schedule in Columbia Falls Thursday for a quad meet with the Wildcats, Whitefish and Hamilton.

Following the holiday break, Libby will be back in action at the Ronan Tournament on Jan. 5-6. The next, and final, home match is scheduled for Jan. 23 with Polson, Whitefish and Columbia Falls coming in. It will also be Senior Night.

    Libby's Marley Erickson has Ronan's Jairyn Krause right where he wants him for a pin in the match at 138 pounds on Tuesday, Dec. 19, in Libby. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Libby's Tanner Wolfe pinned Stevensville's Cody Umland in just 56 seconds in the match at 160 pounds on Tuesday, Dec. 19, in Libby. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Libby's Bridger Bache has Stevensville's Jordan Baker locked up for a pin in the match at 120 pounds on Tuesday, Dec. 19, in Libby. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Libby wrestling coaches Dean Thompson and Justin Graham watch a match on Tuesday, Dec. 19, in Libby. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)