The Big Sandy Pioneers were wrestling in Cut Bank over the weekend at the Cut Bank Booster Invitational. The tournament played host to a competitive field of teams from around the state. 8th grade grappler Quinn Rodewald went 4-0 in route to winning gold in the 103 pound boys division. Rodewald pinned his first opponent Aiden Snyder of Lewistown at the 2:26 mark of the second period. Next up for the 103 pounder was a scrappy Colin Hickman from Eureka who Quinn Rodewald beat 10-2, earning a major decision victory. In the semifinal match Rodewald faced Izaak Munski of Cascade, who he pinned 44 seconds into the contest. The finals match paired Quinn Rodewald against the hometown wrestler Richard Schmidt of Cut Bank. Quinn Rodewald would score the first points of the match and hold on to win a 3-2 decision, taking home gold.
Pioneer wrestlers Harley Labuda and Leah LePinnet also found themselves on the podium at the end of the tournament. Harley LaBuda battled her way into the finals with 2 straight victories by fall over Ava Krings of Conrad and Kyra Anderson of CJI. LaBuda faced Rebecca Birdwell of Lewistown in the final match. Birdwell led 2-0 after taking Harley down in the first period. In the second period LaBuda nearly pinned Birdwell but ultimately fell to her opponent by pin at the end of the second period. LaBuda’s performance earned herself a second place finish in the 107 pound girls division.
Leah LePinnet won her first match by forfeit and then beat Arabella Nichols of CMR in the quarterfinals. LePinnet fell in the semifinal match to Izzy Baker of Harlem. After losing her consolation match, LePinnet would rematch Nichols of CMR in the 5th place match. LePinnet would scrap out a hard earned victory by pinning Nichols at the 4:49 mark of the third period. The victory earned LePinnet 5th place in the 114 pound girls division.
Sam and Wes Cox both fought hard throughout the course of the weekend. Wes Cox finished 3-2, finishing just short of placing in the 138 pound division. Sam Cox earned a victory over the weekend by fall over a grappler from CMR. The Big Sandy Pioneers will compete in the Choteau Invitational this coming weekend.
