BILLINGS – Lake County was well represented this weekend in Billings for the state wresting tournament and although they didn’t enjoy much team success, there were plenty of individual accomplishments that showed the state that Lake County is still a wrestling force.

Highlighting Lake County’s visit to state was Mission-Charlo wrestler Jacen Petersen (171).  Petersen wrestled his way to a state title and finished the season a perfect 38-0.  What may be even more impressive than Petersen’s undefeated season is that 35 of his wins were by way of pin.  Petersen wrestled Choteau’s Jake French in the finals and won the decision 10-5.  It’s scary to think that Petersen’s incredible season has come in only his junior year.  It’s hard to imagine that he can have an even better wrestling season than he did this year.

“Jacen is the toughest wrestler I’ve ever coached,” said Mission-Charlo coach Lyle Cronk.  “Jacen has very large expectations for himself.  He is only going to get better.”  

That statement suggests Mission-Charlo is going to be a force to be reckoned with next season in Class B-C.  The team is only losing two wrestlers to graduation and has a bevy of young talent aside from Petersen coming back next year, including junior Morgan Shultz (105), who took second in state this season.

“It’s really exciting Morgan made the finals,” said Coach Cronk.  “It really gives us momentum heading into next year.  Sophomore Jamie Mullins (119) finished fifth for Mission-Charlo and gives the team yet another returning weapon.  Senior Barret Sargent ended his high school wrestling career with a third place finish, defeating Columbus-Absarokee’s Lane KnowsHisGun in a 5-4 decision.  As a whole, the team finished an encouraging fifth with 105.5 points and will be well equipped to make a team title run next year.  

The Ronan Chiefs finished fourth, just ahead of Mission-Charlo with 114.5 overall points. Colby Roberts (189) led the way for the Chiefs by defeating Florence’s Tanner Cobbs in a major decision 14-5.  Quentin Denton (152) finished in second for the Chiefs after losing a tight decision to Forsyth’s Brandon Weber 3-0.  The Arlee Warriors finished 31st with 17.5 points.

In Class A action, Polson’s Dylan Moll turned in a valiant effort finishing in second for the Pirates.  Moll was pinned by Belgrade’s Jarrett Degen in 3:31.