Four Hawks survive Western B-C, move on to State

The survivor series continues.

Four Thompson Falls Blue Blue Hawk wrestlers survived Saturday's Western B-C tournament by placing in the top four in their weight classes, and now move on to the State B-C tournament, part of the Montana All-Class meet to be wrestled in Metra Park in Billings Friday and Saturday.

"Surviving is the name of the game, you have got to get there to do anything at state," Hawk coach Ian Taylor. "These four kids have earned this opportunity, now it is matter of going out and giving it your best every match and seeing what that gets you."

Those Hawks earning that right to compete on Montana's biggest high school wrestling stage are Trae Thilmony, the unchallenged champion at 113 pounds, and second place winners Roman Sparks (120), Shane Reishus (126) and Dakota Irvine (182).

Lucas Anderson, competing at 145, lost in the consolation finals and will not be joining his teammates in Billings.

Thilmony, who has a record of 27-2, did not have to wrestle to win his title Saturday, although he undoubtedly wanted to perform in front of his hometown fans.

"That was unfortunate," Taylor said, "he really wanted to wrestle but there were no others at his weight. He is looking forward to the challenge this week though."

Taylor said there are six wrestlers at 113 who could win it, although his money is on Thilmony, who has built an impressive record of 27-2 this season while winning six different tournament titles along the way. He will wrestle Cascade's Lily Rismer Friday.

Sparks reached the final at 120 against Eureka's Gunnar Smith, but lost a tough 2-0 decision in the chipper. Now 24-5 for the season, Sparks will face Cody St. Clair (36-13) of Boulder in the first round.

Reishus, a freshman at Noxon wrestling for the Hawks, will open with Trenton Walker of Whitehall in the 126 pound division. "I've said it before but Shane is very young for his grade and a year behind other kids in high school," Taylor said. "He has had a very good season and improved a lot we hope he has a good tournament and gets through to Saturday."

Reishus (15-14) will grapple with Trenton Walker (23-18) of Whitehall Friday.

Irvine won his semifinal match at 182 by pin before falling to nemesis Trey Green in the title match. Now 16-14 for the season, Irvine will wrestsle Carter Morgan (22-22) of Choteau in his opening match in Billings.

"Dakota has a shot of doing well, the key for him, like all our kids, is to have a good first day," Taylor said. "You have to set yourself up for success in tournaments like this and the best way to do that is to win in the early rounds."

In the Western B-C team race, Eureka won a fifth straight Western B-C crown with 202 points, Florence was second with 148, followed by Mission-Charlo (135.5), Clark Fork (107.5), Plains-Hot Springs (92), Thompson Falls-Noxon (74.5), Arlee (60) and Bigfork (19).