Flathead, Glacier combine for 7 in State Wrestling finals
JON ALLEN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 weeks, 6 days AGO
BILLINGS — On Valentine’s Day, Seven Glacier and Flathead wrestlers scheduled a date in Saturday’s State All-Class Wrestling Tournament.
The marquee matchup being a divisionals rematch between the Wolfpack’s Kaura Coles and the Bravette’s Bella Downing at 115. Coles claimed the victory a week ago at Flathead, but both are looking for a second consecutive state title — Coles took the 114-pound class in 2024 while Downing won at 120.
Jerin and Niko Coles made it a trifecta in the finals for Glacier, Jerin picking up a 12-6 decision over Great Falls’ Jace Komac and Niko scoring a first-period pin over Missoula Big Sky's Tanner Davis.
“I was really impressed with Jerin flipping that match from earlier this year,” Dankers said. “He completely dominated, not giving up any offensive points. Obviously, Kaura and Niko getting pins to get to the finals.”
Flathead heads into the final day of competition in second place in the team standings with 149.5 points, Billings West is running away with first at 233. Great Falls is third at 134.5. Glacier moved into eighth place with 76.5.
“Tomorrow morning is going to be a huge day,” Dankers said. “That first round is going to dictate a lot of team points and a lot of goals are going to be solidified and hopes shattered.”
Earning their way into the final for the Braves Brawlers were Aiden Downing at 144 and Loki Bigras at 175.
“Really proud of Loki and Aiden,” Braves coach Jeff Thompson said. “Aiden just wrestled lights out against (Devin) Grossman, Grossman is one of the top wrestlers in the state, so that was a huge win for him.”
Downing secured his spot with a second period pin over Billings Skyview’s Devin Grossman, while Bigras also pinned his way into the final, defeating Billings West’s Peyton Cicero.
Ten Flathead wrestlers made their way into Friday’s semifinal round.
“Wrestling has the highest highs and the lowest lows,” Thompson said. “We went through a roller coaster ride this last round. Putting 10 in the semis is just amazing.”
In the girls team race, Billings Senior leads overall with 191 points while Miles City is second overall and top of Class A with 141, Flathead follows in third place with 115.5. Glacier sits ninth with 59.5 points.
Along with Downing, the Bravettes placed Julia Kay into the 130-pound final against Helena Capital’s Taylor Lay. The two met a week ago with Lay claiming a major decision to win the divisional title.
“It’s definitely an improvement from last year where we walked in with less and left with two on the podium,” Bravettes coach Amber Downing said. “As always, the main goal is to constantly make improvements.”
Kay pinned Laurel’s Cadence Weis in the third period to advance.
Downing Secured her spot with a 9-5 decision over Senior’s Piper Gershmel.
The last day of the tournament starts at 9 a.m. Saturday with the finals round set to begin at 4 p.m.
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