One Nation, Under God

Malta sends four to State Tourney

The Malta Mustangs Wrestling team will be represented by four wrestlers at the State B/C Tournament this weekend, after Cameron Mikesell, Camryn Mears, Colt French, and Jaden Keeling qualified at the 2021 Northern B/C Divisional in Glasgow last weekend.

The State B/C is scheduled to start on Friday, March 5, and conclude on Saturday, March 6, at Shelby High School.

Coach Jake French feels good about how the Mustangs finished considering how tough this year's "Super Divisional" was.

"I think that we have a pretty good shot at each one of our kids having success at state," Coach French said.

Mikesell and Mears each reached the podium at last year's state tournament. Mikesell took third place in the 113 class and freshman Camryn "Reggie" Mears took sixth in the 145 class, both as freshmen.

Earlier in the year, Coach French said that the team was motivated by Mikesell and Mears placing at state. This time, seniors French and Keeling hope to leave their mark at the State tournament.

Last weekend, Mikesell took second place and scored a team-high 20 points in the 126-pound weight class. He lost to Circle's Krayle Stormer, who boasts a 28-2 record. Mikesell was pinned at 2:37.

"I think he was just nervous in that match," Coach French said. "He didn't wrestle to his ability in that match. I think he was a little star-struck and the tournament got to him. He wrestled outstanding the rest of the tournament."

Coach French said that Mikesell was solid and wrestled patiently throughout the earlier rounds of the tournament.

Mikesell won his semifinal match by sudden victory against Poplar's Mitchell Youngman after Coach French disputed a takedown call in overtime.

"I felt that that kid did not have a solidified takedown," Coach French said. "It was a scramble situation."

After the referees conferred, one referee agreed with French, allowing the match to go on.

"I argued for a referee call and I won," Coach French said. "And that never happens."

Eventually, Mikesell was able to get the takedown and win the match 8-6. According to Coach French, the gym roared and he said that it was one of the most exciting matches of the tournament.

Mears took home third place in the 160-pound weight class and scored 17 points, winning the third-place match by a 6-3 decision over Baker's Jessie Bawley.

"He has every chance of winning at state against anyone in that weight class," Coach French said. "I made it clear to Camryn that being a state champion isn't an unattainable goal. I feel the same way for Jaden Keeling."

Keeling placed fifth in the 285-pound weight class, earning 17 points for Malta. Keeling won his fifth-place match by pinning Poplar's Tyler Pribbernow in 2:23.

"Looking at his matchups, he not only has a good shot at placing, but placing high."

Colt French placed eighth and scored eight points for Malta. French qualified for state by winning his second-round consolation matchup against Glasgow's Ethan Nickels by pinfall at 2:51.

Coach French said that Colt can also be successful at state if he wrestles to the best of his ability.

"I think each kid had a chance to place high in the tournament," Coach French said.

The season ended for seniors Shawn Gilkerson and Parker Mortenson, and freshmen Colton Mears. Each wrestled for the first time of their high school careers.

"I wish I had Parker and Shaun for four years," Coach French said.

Mortenson battled through a knee injury throughout the season.

The following are matches involving Malta wrestlers at the Northern B/C Divisional.

126 - Cameron Mikesell (13-11) placed 2nd and scored 20.0 team points. Champ. Round 1 - Cameron Mikesell (Malta/Whitewater) 13-11 received a (Bye). Quarterfinal - Cameron Mikesell (Malta/Whitewater) 13-11 won by fall over Dawson Boland (Glasgow) 14-27 (Fall 4:46). Semifinal - Cameron Mikesell (Malta/Whitewater) 13-11 won in sudden victory - 1 over Mitchell Youngman (Poplar) 15-9 (SV-1 8-6). 1st Place Match - Krayle Stormer (Circle) 28-2 won by fall over Cameron Mikesell (Malta/Whitewater) 13-11 (Fall 2:37).

138 - Shawn Gilkerson (10-12) scored 2.0 team points. Champ. Round 1 - Shawn Gilkerson (Malta/Whitewater) 10-12 received a (Bye). Champ. Round 2 - Anthony Gudmundson (White Sulphur Springs) 13-10 won by fall over Shawn Gilkerson (Malta/Whitewater) 10-12 (Fall 2:30). Cons. Round 2 - Shawn Gilkerson (Malta/Whitewater) 10-12 received a (Bye). Cons. Round 3 - Shawn Gilkerson (Malta/Whitewater) 10-12 won by decision over Seth Mcdowell (Powder River Co. (Broadus)) 6-13 (Dec 10-7). Cons. Round 4 - Weston Timberman (Columbus/Absarokee/Park City) 19-6 won by fall over Shawn Gilkerson (Malta/Whitewater) 10-12 (Fall 1:52).

152 - Colton Mears (12-18). Champ. Round 1 - Drake Berreth (Chinook) 16-15 won by decision over Colton Mears (Malta/Whitewater) 12-18 (Dec 7-5). Cons. Round 1 - Colton Mears (Malta/Whitewater) 12-18 received a (Bye). Cons. Round 2 - Trey Johannes (Columbus/Absarokee/Park City) 8-20 won by fall over Colton Mears (Malta/Whitewater) 12-18 (Fall 0:36).

160 - Camryn Mears (23-8) placed 3rd and scored 17.0 team points. Champ. Round 1 - Camryn Mears (Malta/Whitewater) 23-8 received a (Bye). Quarterfinal - Camryn Mears (Malta/Whitewater) 23-8 won by fall over Calahan Barker (Red Lodge) 14-8 (Fall 4:33). Semifinal - Damien Nesbitt (Glasgow) 31-9 won by decision over Camryn Mears (Malta/Whitewater) 23-8 (Dec 4-2). Cons. Semi - Camryn Mears (Malta/Whitewater) 23-8 won by major decision over Jaron Taylor (Circle) 19-15 (MD 14-3). 3rd Place Match - Camryn Mears (Malta/Whitewater) 23-8 won by decision over Jessie Brawley (Baker) 16-8 (Dec 6-3).

182 - Colt French (14-19) placed 8th and scored 8.0 team points. Champ. Round 1 - Colt French (Malta/Whitewater) 14-19 won by fall over Damian Ort (Fort Benton/Big Sandy) 9-12 (Fall 1:30). Quarterfinal - Stran Selman (Huntley Project (Worden)) 26-5 won by fall over Colt French (Malta/Whitewater) 14-19 (Fall 1:26). Cons. Round 2 - Colt French (Malta/Whitewater) 14-19 won by fall over Ethan Nickels (Glasgow) 12-11 (Fall 2:51). Cons. Round 3 - Lance Blackcrow (Harlem) 9-6 won by fall over Colt French (Malta/Whitewater) 14-19 (Fall 0:47)

7th Place Match - Gable Davis (Red Lodge) 11-7 won by decision over Colt French (Malta/Whitewater) 14-19 (Dec 9-7).

205 - Parker Mortenson (4-14) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points. Champ. Round 1 - Cade Buchanan (Huntley Project (Worden)) 15-5 won by fall over Parker Mortenson (Malta/Whitewater) 4-14 (Fall 0:43). Cons. Round 1 - Chance Smith (Wolf Point) 7-15 won by fall over Parker Mortenson (Malta/Whitewater) 4-14 (Fall 2:55).

285 - Jaden Keeling (16-14) placed 5th and scored 17.0 team points. Champ. Round 1 - Jaden Keeling (Malta/Whitewater) 16-14 won by fall over Charlie Page (Wolf Point) 5-14 (Fall 0:51). Quarterfinal - Wyatt Dunbar (Chinook) 17-6 won by decision over Jaden Keeling (Malta/Whitewater) 16-14 (Dec 5-3). Cons. Round 2 - Jaden Keeling (Malta/Whitewater) 16-14 won by fall over Kalob Archibeque (Columbus/Absarokee/Park City) 6-14 (Fall 1:31). Cons. Round 3 - Jaden Keeling (Malta/Whitewater) 16-14 won by fall over Gunnar Oblander (Huntley Project (Worden)) 18-15 (Fall 2:11). Cons. Semi - Brock Hanford (Fort Benton/Big Sandy) 17-10 won by decision over Jaden Keeling (Malta/Whitewater) 16-14 (Dec 7-1)

5th Place Match - Jaden Keeling (Malta/Whitewater) 16-14 won by fall over Tyler Pribbernow (Poplar) 8-8 (Fall 2:23).

 

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