Greenchain wrestlers send 15 to state tournament

The Libby Greenchain’s late-season surge continued last weekend in Browning with a third-place finish in the Class A Western Divisional.

Libby’s 216 points weren’t far behind Ronan’s 229 and Frenchtown’s 228. Columbia Falls was fourth with 204 points and Corvallis fifth with 198. The host Indians were sixth with 143 points.

"The kids wrestled really well," Libby head coach Dean Thompson said.

Led by senior Riley Orr's win at 118 pounds, he and 14 other Greenchain wrestlers will compete this weekend at the Montana High School Association All-Class Championships.

The action begins Thursday at MetraPark in Billings. Weigh-ins are at 2 p.m. and first-round matches for boys begin at 4 p.m.

Friday, the Parade of Athletes begins at 9 a.m. and wrestling follows at 9:20 a.m. Semifinals will begin at about 5 p.m., 30 minutes after the last match of the previous round.

Saturday, consolation quarterfinal matches begin at 9 a.m. Consolation finals begin at about 1 p.m. The Parade of Finalists and championship finals begin at about 3 p.m.

The top eight place winners advanced to state.

Here are the Libby results, in order of weight class, courtesy of trackwrestling.com: 

At 103 pounds, Levi Nick (29-16) was third after going 3-1 with three pins.

At 110, Tristin Rogers (23-9) was fourth after going 2-2 with one pin.

Also at 110, Jack Hayven (2-6) placed eighth.

At 118, senior Riley Orr (13-7) used three straight falls to win the title. Orr was on the mat for a total of 1:43. He pinned teammate Bridger Bache to take the weight class.

Bache (25-15) got to the finals with back-to-back pins.

At 126, Sami Jocks (5-4) was 0-2. Also at 126, Gabe Bassett (10-14) was 0-2.

At 132 pounds, Jeremiah Thomas (14-12) was fifth. Thomas was 3-2 and scored two pins and a tech fall.

At 132, Darrin Denton (24-17) was third. He was 4-1 with three pins and a tech fall.

At 138, Nicholas Campbell (31-10) was sixth. He was 2-3 with one pin.  Campbell exited when he was injured at the two-minute mark wrestling Frenchtown’s Jordan Warner in the semifinals.

At 144, Gabe Kosters (23-16) placed fifth. He was 4-2 and collected one pin and a major decision.

Also at 144, Connor Benson (21-15) placed sixth. He was 2-3 after winning by fall and tech fall. After a loss in the semifinals, Benson wasn’t able to compete in his last three matches due to an injury.

At 150 pounds, Boe Miles (32-12) placed second. He was 3-1 with two pins and a tech fall.

At 157, Tristen DeShazer (23-18) placed seventh. He was 2-2 with a pin.

At 165, Hunter Rooney (20-21) was fifth. He was 3-2 with a fall and a major decision.

At 175, Tanner Wolfe (31-17) was eighth. Wolfe was 1-3 with a pin. He had to exit the tourney after an injury late in the first period of a third round consolation match.

At 190, Ian Thom (33-16) placed fourth. He was 2-2 with two pins.

At heavyweight, Hunter Nelson (14-17) was 0-2.

At state, all-session (all three days) adult ticket prices are $29. Single session tickets on Friday and Saturday are $16. Thursday single session tickets are $10. Tickets bought after 4 p.m. Friday are $10, as are tickets bought after 3 p.m. Saturday.

For students, all-session (all three days) ticket prices are $24. Single session tickets on Friday and Saturday are $14. Thursday single session tickets are $8. Tickets bought after 4 p.m. Friday are $8, as are tickets bought after 3 p.m. Saturday.

Starting in February 2025, MetraPark will institute a full enforcement of First Interstate Arena’s clear bag policy for spectators. They will be allowed to bring the following approved bags: Clear bags no larger than 12” x 6’ x 12’, small clutch bags no larger than 4.5” x 6.5”, one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags or diaper bags and medically necessary bags. No camera bags will be allowed. 

Cameras may be carried in, but all camera accessories must be placed in a clear plastic as described above. For complete details regarding the clear bag policy, including diaper bag and medical bag exception visit https://www.metrapark.com/. For more information, email MetraPark at info@metrapark.com.

    Libby Greenchain's Riley Orr celebrates his championship at 118 pounds last weekend at the Western A Divisional boys wrestling tournament in Browning. (Photo courtesy Don Madison)
  

    Libby Greenchain's Riley Orr is also smiles as he locks up a cradle last weekend at the Western A Divisional boys wrestling tournament in Browning. (Photo courtesy Don Madison)
  

    Libby Greenchain's Bridger Bache celebrates a win last weekend at the Western A Divisional boys wrestling tournament in Browning. (Photo courtesy Don Madison)
  

    Libby Greenchain's Levi Nick placed third last weekend at the Western A Divisional boys wrestling tournament in Browning. (Photo courtesy Don Madison)
  

    Libby Greenchain's Darrin Denton placed third last weekend at the Western A Divisional boys wrestling tournament in Browning. (Photo courtesy Don Madison)