The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

The Chinook Sugarbeeter and Harlem wrestling teams headed in opposite directions this past weekend. The 'Beeters headed east to Miles City for the 64th Annual Cowboy and 2nd annual Cowgirl Invitational wrestling meets. Meanwhile the Wildcats and Lady Cats were in Choteau for the Bulldog Invitational where three wrestlers earned podium finishes.

Chinook senior Tyler Schoen went 4-0 in winning the 182 pound title at the 64th Annual Cowboy Invitational. Schoen won his first match by Major Decision, his second by pin in just 0:34. Schoen defeated Cort Catlin, from Thunder Basin, 6-5 and then earned a 7-0 decision over Malta's Camryn Mears in the championship.

Buck won the 107 pound girls division by pinning Killdeer's Cami Kuntz in just 0:16. In the championship match she won by fall over Billings West's Alyvia Ruiz in 2:51.

Senior Lane Snider turned in an impressive 6-1 effort at 145 pounds to finish third in the division. Snider fell in the quarterfinal round but bounced right back to win two matches by pin, another by decision and the consolation final in sudden victory.

Head Coach Ben Stroh was pleased with the effort his kids wrestled with, "The team did very well this weekend. It was a great tournament with teams from Wyoming and Nebraska in attendance. In all over 1500 matches were wrestled total between girls and boys."

Stroh commended his teams champions but everyone performed well, "The big stand outs were Tyler and Grace's titles. Emma wrestled very well to make the finals as a freshman. However, the top performance probably goes to Lane. He lost in the quarters and wrestled all the way back to beat the No. 2 ranked Class B/C wrestler in overtime to get 3rd. That kid also was a finalist in last years state tournament."

The Lady Cats represented Harlem very well with three on the podium. Junior Kaitlyn Johnson finished 2nd at 132 going 2-1. Sophomore Izzy Baker took home a 3rd place finish 1t 120 with a 3-1 record and sophomore Ihte' Stiffarm was fifth at 165.

Head Coach Jonny Baker didn't have a full roster on the mat in Choteau, "Girls team took fifth out of 21 teams at Choteau. We only brought 4 girls to the mat this weekend and they brought the fight. Three of the girls wrestled up in combined weight classes and still found a podium finish."

The girls worked hard once again, "Ihté finished fifth and Svea Hogan contributed to the journey. Izzy and Kaitlyn stepped up to lead the charge with a third and second place finish."

The girls wrestled several new opponents and adjusted very well on the mat, "This helps them prepare for post season scenarios. Looking forward to next week having my whole Lady Cat pack back together to iron out the rest of the wrinkles for the season finale," said Baker.

Chinook sophomore Grace Buck was victorious at 107 pounds at the 2nd Annual Cowgirl Invitational in Miles City.

The boys team was short handed as well said Baker, "The Wildcat team was small this weekend as well due to sickness and finals week for grades. End of the quarter exams and class projects took precedent, that 's why we are in school. I'm proud of the kids that didn't settle for Mediocre grades. Taking pride in the classroom and the mat goes hand in hand with our programs mission."

Baker was quick to highlight a few of the boys efforts, " Stand outs for the boys team this weekend is sophomore Trent King and senior Landen Gray. Trent continues to grow, making it to the second day of the tournament and falling just short of placing round. Getting as much mat time as he can with Landen this weekend. After getting put out of the Varsity tourney, they ran down the hall to the JV tourney and signed up for extra matches to work on themselves even more."

The 'Beeters will honor their seniors this Friday in their only home appearance of the Season. The Wildcats will do the same on Saturday when they host their Invitational.