RONAN - Ronan grapplers went 3-3 last weekend at their home

Western Montana Duals, and had several excellent individual

performances.

"We had some ups and downs," Ronan head coach Dustyn Azure said.

"We've just got learn to get mentally prepared and that just comes

with age."

RONAN - Ronan grapplers went 3-3 last weekend at their home Western Montana Duals, and had several excellent individual performances.

"We had some ups and downs," Ronan head coach Dustyn Azure said. "We've just got learn to get mentally prepared and that just comes with age."

The Chiefs started things on Friday with a 54-29 dual win over Flathead's JV squad thanks to five pins, including a 49-second takedown by Conner Benn over Gage Triplett at 130 pounds. Ronan then dominated Noxon 60-9 with five more pins. Lauren Christopher notched a pin in 50 seconds in at 140 pounds against Luke Crowe.

The day wrapped up with an important dual against Mission Valley rival Mission-Charlo. Things were close as the Bulldogs pulled out a narrow 42-39 victory. Ronan had three pins including an impressive one by fourth-ranked Colby Roberts over fifth-ranked Barret Sargent in 2:45 at 189 pounds.

"We were really interested in seeing how that match would go," Azure said. "Colby was really physical in that match."

On Saturday, Ronan downed Thompson Falls by a large margin, 57-24 behind a tournament-high six pins. At 105 pounds, Trae Garcia pinned Lena Babcock of Thompson Falls in 31 seconds. Ronny Cullis, Shelby Grant and Dustin Goldsby all had pins for the Chiefs in the first two minutes of their matches.

In their next dual, Ronan fell to Libby, 56-15 but recorded two pins from Grant and Colby Roberts.

"Colby has been picking it up all year," Azure said. "He had just one loss over the weekend and it was a tough weight class (189 pounds). It was impressive especially because he did it when he was sick. He had to battle with the stomach flu."

Ronan then finished the Duals up against an old rival in Polson. The Pirates edged the Chiefs 48-36 but Ronan had four pins. Grant was able to pick up a pin against Class A ranked wrestler Mike Devlin in 1:27.

Azure was impressed with his two undefeated wrestlers, Grant at 145-pounds and Quentin Dentin at 160.

"Shelby is having a great year," Azure said. "Last season he wasn't able to compete in divisional and state because he was injured and now he wants to make up for that."

Dentin was in the same boat as Grant, injured for divisional and state last year, and also appears to be a man on a mission.

"He's fun to watch wrestle and he's going for the pin when he's out on the mat," Azure said.

RONAN GETS EIGHT PINS AT QUAD

DRUMMOND - The Chiefs put plenty of opposing wrestlers on the mat on Tuesday, Jan. 4, collecting eight pins at the Drummond Quad. Shelby Grant and Dustin Goldsby both picked up pins in the first two minutes of their matches, while Chase Rhine, Brandon Dumont, Connor Benn, Ronny Cullis and Michael Irvine pinned their opponent as well.

Dumont, at 125 pounds, picked up two pins at the quad.

COMING UP NEXT

While not available at press time, Ronan matched up against Mission-Charlo on Tuesday in what should be another wrestling barn-burner.

"It's always good to mix it up with Mission-Charlo," Azure said.

With ranked wrestlers on both sides, these two teams are considered among the best in the state and will be contenders at the Western B/C Divisional tournament.

"We can't give up pins," Azure said. "Those bonus points are huge in that matchup."

Results will be available in the next edition of the Leader. Ronan will also compete at the Rocky Mountain Classic in Missoula over the weekend.