Greenchain wrestlers begin quest for state medals
Libby's Jace DeShazer pinned Ronan's Masyn Wayman at 205 pounds on Tuesday, Dec. 19, in Libby. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
The postseason is now for the Libby Loggers Greenchain wrestling squad as it travels to Hamilton this weekend for the Class A Western divisional tournament in Hamilton.
Wrestling begins at 3 p.m. Friday afternoon and concludes Saturday evening. The top eight finishers in each weight class qualify for the state championships Feb. 9-10 in Billings. Those seeded No. 1 through No. 4 at state get first-round byes.
Leading the Greenchain contingent is No. 1 ranked and two-time state champion Jace DeShazer. The senior is seeking his third straight title.
According to the Jan. 24 Class A coaches poll, the Greenchain has two other ranked wrestlers.
Marley Erickson is No. 6 at 138 pounds while Connor Benson is also No. 6 at 152 pounds.
Libby wrapped up their regular season last weekend with meets in Whitefish and Eureka.
At the Whitefish Duals, Libby routed Browning 51-21 and Thompson Falls 72-6.
Against the Indians, Sami Jocks, Erickson, Benson, Joey Wise each won by fall. Alex Reatz won by decision. Against Thompson Falls, Riley Orsborn, Erickson, Zekiah Meyer, Benson, Tanner Wolfe and Richard Harris each scored falls.
Other teams competing include the hosts, Bigfork, Browning, Butte Central, Columbia Falls, Corvallis, Dillon, Frenchtown, Polson, Ronan, Stevensville and Whitefish.