Pioneers Battle at Eastern Divisionals

The Big Sandy wrestling team competed in Columbus this past weekend. The B/C Eastern Divisional tournament was filled with tough competition and qualifying for State was the ultimate goal. Quinn Rodwald went 3-0 through the first 3 rounds of wrestling, punching his ticket to the tournament finals. He faced Baylor Burton from Huntley Project in the 103 pound championship match. Rodewald had his moments in the match but fell 11-5 to the grappler from the Project. Quinn will enter the State Tournament with a high seed and a 28-5 record on the season.

Harley LaBuda entered the tournament as the number one seed at the 107 weight class. She pinned Kyra Anderson of CJI in the first period of the semifinal match. In the championship match she faced Blake Follete of Popler. Once again LaBuda made short work of her opponent, pinning her inside the first minute of the match. Harley LaBuda will enter the State Tournament with a high seed after winning the Eastern B/C Divisional Tournament. Leah LePinnet started her tournament off with a bang when she pinned the number one seeded wrestler at the 114 pound weight class in the third period. LePinnet would finish the tournament in 6th place.

Senior Tannin Baumann battled throughout the course of the tournament, eventually clinching a place at the State Tournament in Billings. Baumann won his first match by fall over Hunter Zabransky of Columbus. In the quarterfinals match Baumann lost 6-4 to Dylan Grant of Colstrip. Tannin then pinned Owen Davies of Chinook, Bryce Becker of Circle, and Eli Broadbrooks of Huntley Project to finish 5th place at the tournament. Wes and Sam Cox both finished in 7th place after winning their last match by pin over opponents from Malta and Red Lodge. Darrell Sunchild clinched a spot at the State Tournament after pinning Rollen Spotted Bull in the 7th place match. Sunchild finished the tournament with a 2-2 record.

The Pioneers will wrestle at the State Tournament in Billings this weekend.