The Pioneer Wrestlers competed well over the weekend. On Thursday night they went a combined 10-2 as a team at the Fort Benton Mixer. The next morning kicked off the CMR Holiday Classic where the team continued to show their grit on the mat. At 103 pounds, Quinn Rodewald finished in the top ten with a 3-2 record. He battled hard throughout the two day tournament, only losing to the eventual champion Tristan Vladic of Billings Senior and third place finisher Makael Aguayo of Billings West. At 132 pounds, Wes Cox also finished in the top ten with over 40 wrestlers competing in his weight class. Cox won four matches by pin during the competition. Senior Tannin Baumann finished the tournament with a 2-2 record. Baumann's two victories came by pin over Layne Carter of Fairfield and Kohner Shipman of Malta. Darrell Sunchild finished 1-2, with his victory coming by pin over a grappler from Valier.
The Big Sandy girls began the wrestling tournament grappling at Great Falls High on Friday. At 107 pounds, Harley LaBuda won her first two matches by pin earning her a berth in the semifinal match. Harley lost to Kalispell Glacier wrestler Brooke Yeadon in the Saturday morning semifinal. The sophomore from Kalispell went on to win the tournament at 107 pounds. LaBuda then lost a hard fought match to Senior Kaylee LaPier of Butte. LaBuda had defeated the Butte grappler earlier in the tournament. Harley would finish in 5th place after defeating Senior Reina Koehler of Kalispell Flathead by pin in the third period. It was an impressive showing by the 8th grader. Freshman Leah LePinnet (114), finished with a 2-2 record in the tournament. Her wins came by pin over Nicole Richards of Belgrade and Kaylei Hinck of Helena High. The Pioneers will continue to work hard over Christmas Break in preparation for the Cut Bank Invitational, which will be held on January 6th & 7th.
