Flathead teams 2nd at State wrestling

BILLINGS — State wrestling is underway and Flathead has assumed a usual position, near the top of the team standings.

The Braves sit in second with 48 points, Billings West is first with 73.5 points. Butte finished day one in third at 38. Glacier is 10th with 24 points. 

The Braves have 14 of their 26 qualified wrestlers still alive on the championship side of the bracket. 

Dawson Hamland knocked off the East’s No. 2 wrestler at 126 pounds, Noah Carlos, with a third-round pin to set up a match with teammate Caleb Poe-Hatton in the quarterfinals. 

The Braves were locked out at 175 though as Dillon Wink and Colten Conover were upset in the first round. Both are still alive for a spot on the podium on the consolation side of the bracket. 

Six of Glacier’s nine wrestlers worked their way into the quarterfinals. 

A highlight match early Friday is the Wolfpack’s Aiden Sweat battling Flathead’s Aidan Lake for a semifinal spot at 118. 

On the girls side, Flathead is fourth overall and second among AA schools with 35 points. Billings Senior leads the way with 61.5 points, while Miles City (43.5) and Ronan (38.5) are second and third. Glacier is 20th overall and 10th among AA schools at 18 points. 

Four Bravettes and two Wolfpack wrestlers remain alive for an individual title. 

Bella Downing (120), Julia Kay (130), Kiera Lackey (135) and Elisa Bernabe (135) advanced for Flathead. Katelyn Sphuler (100) and Kylie Shine (130) moved on for Glacier. 

Shine and Kay square off in the quarterfinals Friday. 

Laurel leads the State A boys with 49.5 points; Sidney is second at 45.5. Libby is the top Northwest A team with 22.5 points, good for eighth. 

In the State B/C meet, Eureka is tied with Chinook for third with 23 points. Glasgow is second at 34.5 and Huntley Project leads with 54.5. 

Full results can be found at trackwrestling.com.