The Chinook and Harlem Wrestling teams are headed to the Eastern B/C Divisional in Colstrip this week for the right to advance to the Class B/C State Wrestling meet in Billings next week.

Both teams have had to deal with Covid-19 issues these past couple of weeks, but one thing is for certain, both teams will be ready to go.

The Sugarbeeters will be represented at the Eastern B/C by senior Wyatt Dunbar (285), senior Drake Berreth (152), senior Lincoln Reich (160), junior Tyler Schoen (170), junior Lane Snider (145), sophomore Listat Pope (120) and freshman Gage Chapman (113).

The Wildcats will be represented by: Freshman, Joe Arensmeyer (132), junior Landen Gray (132), freshman Trent King (138), senior Stanley Spangelo (145), senior Marty Snow (152), freshman Hawken Haakanson (152), senior Darrius Longknife (160), senior Michael King (182), sophomore Kendon Young (182), senior Mikkel Rider (205) and sophomore Jesse Castillo (285).

Chinook hasn't been able to practice since Thursday and the first opportunity Head Coach Ben Stroh had to visit with his team was this Monday. Prior to the shut down he had this to say, "I told them before we canceled practice, "It is on you now, it is time to decide how YOU want to end the season. Are you willing to put the work in on your own to make that goal happen. It is time to decide."

Stroh is pleased with where his team is heading into the post season, "The whole team has improved a lot since the beginning of the season. The most improvement is in their maturity of wrestling. By that I mean how they wrestle, how they finish matches, how they find those hard scores at pivotal moments in a match, and knowing where they are on the mat at all times."

The 'Beeter girls are sidelined this weekend to being spectators at the Eastern B/C but Stroh is excited for the opportunity in front of them, "Everything will be new for Grace (Buck, 103) at the State Tournament. New is not always bad. She has stepped to the line and competed well in other big tournaments such at CMR (where she placed 6th) so I am not worried about her. She controls her nerves well and is the same person every time she walks out on the mat. She will be very excited to wrestle somebody new and show what she has been working so hard for."

Senior Shay Hauer will compete at 126 pounds, "I do not see State being an issue for Shay. She has been in the Metra plenty as a manager for the boys team. This year is her year to show what she has learned from the side lines as well as being the one in the circle.

The veteran of the 'Beeter girls contingents is sophomore Ryley Hofeldt (132), "Ryley is a seasoned vet at this point. That does not mean she will not feel pressure, but she has been on the big stage and competed well there before. It is time for her to settle in and go to work."

Just the boys will be competing this week at the Eastern B/C Divisional. With the girls being in just year two and programs still developing around the state, all girls who have met the regular season requirements will automatically advance to the State Tournament.

Chinook junior Tyler Schoen (170 Lbs.) will also be looking to punch his ticket to the State Tournament this weekend at the Eastern B/C Boys

The Montana Girls State Wrestling Championships are a combination of all classes, AA-C. Coaches expect this to change sooner than later as numbers increase. This year because some weight classes have many more girls than others, competition will begin on Thursday, February 10 to narrow the Class field to a 16 Woman Bracket. The State B/C Boys Tournament will run February 11-12.