The Ruis Wrestling Club in Columbia Falls showcased an impressive performance at the WMLG Unit 2 Qualifier on March 15, with several wrestlers securing top placements and earning valuable team points.

Leading the charge was Cash Buckallew in the Novice 65 division, who dominated his bracket and clinched first place. Buckallew won all three of his matches by fall, securing 26 team points. His final victory came against Weston Bauer (Mission/Charlo) in 1:26.

Vance Mcdonald placed seventh in the 70-pound bracket, picking up a pin in the seventh-place match. 

In the Middle Boys 120 division, Westin Gansel also claimed gold, scoring 22 team points. Gansel won his semifinal match in just 41 seconds and sealed the championship with a hard-fought 5-3 decision over Asher Bosley Benn (Bigfork). Teammate Grayson Taylor was fourth after notching two wins. 

Other first-place finishers included Dawson Hoerner (Middle Boys 130), who pinned all three of his opponents, and Gunner Whitaker (Middle Boys 187), who earned 17 team points with a mix of a forfeit win, a major decision and a bye.  Bayden Wassam (Middle Boys 90) and Carson Koster (Middle Boys 166) both placed second in their respective divisions, contributing 18 and 14 points to the team total. Wassam advanced to the finals with a forfeit win but fell in the championship match. Koster won his first two matches by fall before dropping the final bout.

Mikinnley Kahee placed second in the Middle Girls 120 bracket. 

Rounding out the podium finishes, Emma Shough (Middle Girls 90) and Jaycee Augare (Middle Girls 147) each secured third-place finishes, while Grayson Taylor (Middle Boys 120) finished fourth after an impressive technical fall win in the consolation semifinal.

Additional notable finishes included Blake Blasius (Middle Boys 105, 5th place), Vallen McDonald (Novice 70, 7th place), and Kelsi Cheff (Middle Girls 75, 7th place).