Schipman Wins Eastern B/C 138 Title; Seven Wrestlers Heading to State

The Malta/Whitewater Mustangs wrestling team is sending seven athletes to the 2024 State B/C Wrestling Tournament this weekend in Billings at the Metrapark First Interstate Arena.

The competition is set to start at 8:50 a.m. on Friday, February 9, with the Parade of Athletes and will conclude after the championship round on Saturday, February 10.

Malta competed at the 2024 Eastern B/C Tournament last weekend in Wolf Point. Ten of Malta's 14 wrestlers placed in the top eight, but given the new ranking agreement, seven of 14 qualified for state.

Mustang junior Kohner "Chaka" Schipman won the 138 class title. Senior Colton Mears was second in the 182 class. Junior Ava Hanson was second in the Girls-185 class. Eighth-grader Lane Spencer was fourth in the 126 class. Sophomore Straud Sims was fourth in the 152 class, Sophomore Trooper Stiles was fifth in the 138 class, and freshman Kenan LaBrie was fifth in the 170 class.

"The Malta wrestling team had a roller coaster of a weekend," Malta Wrestling Head Coach Jake French told the PCN. "Out of 14 kids we took to Divisionals, we managed to take half. I am super proud of the way the kids wrestled this weekend, whether they won or loss, none of them gave up.

"They all tried their best and didn't fall short with the effort they provided, and there is nothing more I would ask as a coach," Coach French continued.

The Malta/Whitewater boys team was fifth out of 21 teams present in Wolf Point, with a total of 110 points. Huntley Project won the tournament with 300.5 points. Baker was second with 176. Glasgow was third with 131 points. Columbus/Absarokee was fourth with 116.5 points. Broadus (Powder River Co.) was sixth with 97 points.

The Malta girls team was fourteenth out of 20. They were tied with Red Lodge and Shepherd who scored 22 points each. Baker won the girls tournament with 217 points. Fort Benton was second with 107 points. Harlem was third with 94 and Chinook was fifth with 55 points.

Schipman (40-7) was able to win his first Eastern B/C title by defeating Poplar's Navarjo Escarcega by sudden victory. Schipman pinned two of his four opponents in Wolf Point, including Red Lodge's Nolan Evenson (23-8) at 1:26 in the semifinals.

Mears (30-16) is making his third straight state appearance this weekend. He fell in the 182 Championship to Baker's Jesse Brawley (17-8) by pinfall with 15 seconds remaining in the match. Mears pinned the only other opponent he had to face in the first round, Jackson Knapp (6-11) of Broadus at 1:47. He won his semifinal match against Rylee Wiggins of Forsyth due to medical forfeit.

Hanson (25-10) lost the girls 165 title match to Jaya Harbaugh of Baker (33-3) by pin fall at 4:22. Hanson defeated her first two opponents by pinfall, including Harlem's Jarah Wilson (18-14) at 3:00 in their semifinal match.

Sims (23-18) lost the third place match to Riggin Schaffer (30-13) of Broadus by 5-2 decision. Sims earned a spot in the match by defeating Wesley Cox (17-10) of Big Sandy by 12-3 Major Decision.

Spencer (17-7) is the first eighth-grader in Malta's history to qualify for state wrestling at the high school level. He lost the third place match to Baker's Jaren Lingle (13-10) by pin fall at 4:00. Spencer won his first two matches but lost to Huntley Project's Huntly Harp by pin fall at 5:57. He won his consolation semifinal match against Big Sandy's Garrett LeFurgey (22-13) by 8-3 decision.

Kenan LaBrie (30-16) won the fifth place match by 4-2 decision over Sheldon Serrano (19-14) of Roundup. He battled back after losing his first match of the Championship Round.

Stiles won his fifth place match against Huntley Project's Eli Broadbrooks (20-19) by 2-1 decision.

"Divisionals is always an emotional tournament," Coach French said. "Some of the kids fell short of their goals, which is heartbreaking. And others accomplished their goals, which is heartwarming. No matter the outcome, valuable lessons were learned. Now is the time to zero in on the mistakes we made, make improvements, and prepare for the State tournament next week."

The following are the results from every match that had a Malta wrestler in it at the Eastern B/C via Trackwrestling:

MHSA Girls B/C Eastern Divisional Results for Malta

114: AJ Marquis (2-17) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points. Champ. Round 1 - Shelby Barnett (Baker) 30-11 won by fall over AJ Marquis (Malta) 2-17 (Fall 1:44). Cons. Round 1 - AJ Marquis (Malta) 2-17 received a bye () (Bye). Cons. Round 2 - Alara Parshall (Poplar) 25-12 won by fall over AJ Marquis (Malta) 2-17 (Fall 1:27).

145: Samme Gibbs (2-13) placed 7th and scored 2.0 team points. Quarterfinal - Riley Clampitt (Glasgow) 31-6 won by fall over Samme Gibbs (Malta) 2-13 (Fall 0:57). Cons. Round 1 - Mesa Ewing (Red Lodge/Belfry) 6-16 won by fall over Samme Gibbs (Malta) 2-13 (Fall 0:58). 7th Place Match - Samme Gibbs (Malta) 2-13 won by fall over Blake Ozark (Glasgow) 9-24 (Fall 0:57).

165: Ava Hanson (25-10) placed 2nd and scored 20.0 team points. Quarterfinal - Ava Hanson (Malta) 25-10 won by fall over Paisley Verhelst (Custer/Hysham) 1-13 (Fall 0:26). Semifinal - Ava Hanson (Malta) 25-10 won by fall over Jarah Wilson (Harlem) 18-14 (Fall 3:00). 1st Place Match - Jayda Harbaugh (Baker) 33-3 won by fall over Ava Hanson (Malta) 25-10 (Fall 4:22).

MHSA B/C Eastern Divisional 2024 Results for Malta / Whitewater

120: Jonah Bucks (9-25) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points. Champ. Round 1 - Jonah Bucks (Malta / Whitewater) 9-25 received a bye () (Bye). Champ. Round 2 - Hayden Berreth (Chinook) 25-18 won by fall over Jonah Bucks (Malta / Whitewater) 9-25 (Fall 0:33). Cons. Round 2 - Jonah Bucks (Malta / Whitewater) 9-25 received a bye () (Bye). Cons. Round 3 - Zane Gardner (Baker) 7-16 won by decision over Jonah Bucks (Malta / Whitewater) 9-25 (Dec 6-3).

126: Lane Spencer (17-7) placed 4th and scored 14.0 team points. Champ. Round 1 - Lane Spencer (Malta / Whitewater) 17-7 won by fall over Reece Hammond (Great Falls Central) 6-9 (Fall 2:37). Quarterfinal - Lane Spencer (Malta / Whitewater) 17-7 won by decision over Jaren Lingle (Baker) 13-10 (Dec 7-2). Semifinal - Huntly Harp (Huntley Project (Worden)) 27-14 won by fall over Lane Spencer (Malta / Whitewater) 17-7 (Fall 5:57). Cons. Semi - Lane Spencer (Malta / Whitewater) 17-7 won by decision over Garrett Lefurgey (Big Sandy) 22-13 (Dec 8-6). 3rd Place Match - Jaren Lingle (Baker) 13-10 won by fall over Lane Spencer (Malta / Whitewater) 17-7 (Fall 4:00).

132: Steeler Blunt (7-14) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points. Champ. Round 1 - Robert Naylor (Columbus / Absarokee) 18-23 won by fall over Steeler Blunt (Malta / Whitewater) 7-14 (Fall 2:43). Cons. Round 1 - Steeler Blunt (Malta / Whitewater) 7-14 received a bye () (Bye). Cons. Round 2 - Alex Donnes (Shepherd) 18-15 won by fall over Steeler Blunt (Malta / Whitewater) 7-14 (Fall 0:58).

138: Kohner Schipman (40-7) placed 1st and scored 29.0 team points. Champ. Round 1 - Kohner Schipman (Malta / Whitewater) 40-7 received a bye () (Bye). Champ. Round 2 - Kohner Schipman (Malta / Whitewater) 40-7 won by fall over Anthony Tomassi (Roundup) 1-12 (Fall 0:47). Quarterfinal - Kohner Schipman (Malta / Whitewater) 40-7 won by major decision over Kail Irish (Powder River Co. (Broadus)) 22-16 (MD 16-4). Semifinal - Kohner Schipman (Malta / Whitewater) 40-7 won by fall over Nolan Evenson (Red Lodge HS) 23-8 (Fall 1:26). 1st Place Match - Kohner Schipman (Malta / Whitewater) 40-7 won in sudden victory - 1 over Navarjo Escarcega (Poplar) 36-7 (SV-1 3-1).

138: Trooper Stiles (29-19) placed 5th and scored 14.0 team points. Champ. Round 1 - Trooper Stiles (Malta / Whitewater) 29-19 received a bye () (Bye). Champ. Round 2 - Trooper Stiles (Malta / Whitewater) 29-19 won by fall over Wyatt Tinsley (Columbus / Absarokee) 7-8 (Fall 3:00). Quarterfinal - Nolan Evenson (Red Lodge HS) 23-8 won by decision over Trooper Stiles (Malta / Whitewater) 29-19 (Dec 10-5). Cons. Round 4 - Trooper Stiles (Malta / Whitewater) 29-19 won by fall over Cooper Ferris (Fort Benton) 16-11 (Fall 3:35). Cons. Round 5 - Trooper Stiles (Malta / Whitewater) 29-19 won by decision over Kail Irish (Powder River Co. (Broadus)) 22-16 (Dec 7-4). Cons. Semi - Stran Lytton (Red Lodge HS) 22-9 won by decision over Trooper Stiles (Malta / Whitewater) 29-19 (Dec 6-5). 5th Place Match - Trooper Stiles (Malta / Whitewater) 29-19 won by decision over Eli Broadbrooks (Huntley Project (Worden)) 20-19 (Dec 2-1).

145: Mason Sjostrom (8-9) placed 8th and scored 7.0 team points. Champ. Round 1 - Mason Sjostrom (Malta / Whitewater) 8-9 won by fall over Troy Longknife (Harlem) 1-11 (Fall 2:14). Quarterfinal - Tyler Niles (Shepherd) 24-2 won by fall over Mason Sjostrom (Malta / Whitewater) 8-9 (Fall 0:48). Cons. Round 2 - Mason Sjostrom (Malta / Whitewater) 8-9 won by fall over Eli Zachary (Columbus / Absarokee) 16-20 (Fall 4:01). Cons. Round 3 - Bryce Becker (Circle) 24-15 won by fall over Mason Sjostrom (Malta / Whitewater) 8-9 (Fall 3:45). 7th Place Match - Joe Arensmayer (Harlem) 22-14 won by fall over Mason Sjostrom (Malta / Whitewater) 8-9 (Fall 4:42).

145: Karson Kelsey (1-27) place is unknown and scored 0.0 team points. Champ. Round 1 - Dylan Grant (Colstrip) 26-23 won by fall over Karson Kelsey (Malta / Whitewater) 1-27 (Fall 0:42). Cons. Round 1 - Aurelien Seyler (Roundup) 7-12 won by fall over Karson Kelsey (Malta / Whitewater) 1-27 (Fall 1:14).

152: Straud Sims (23-18) placed 4th and scored 17.0 team points. Champ. Round 1 - Straud Sims (Malta / Whitewater) 23-18 received a bye () (Bye). Champ. Round 2 - Straud Sims (Malta / Whitewater) 23-18 won by fall over Jeremie Goins (Roundup) 1-4 (Fall 0:57). Quarterfinal - Straud Sims (Malta / Whitewater) 23-18 won by decision over Leon Champagne (Harlem) 26-12 (Dec 9-2). Semifinal - Khye Gamas (Glasgow) 38-9 won by fall over Straud Sims (Malta / Whitewater) 23-18 (Fall 3:44). Cons. Semi - Straud Sims (Malta / Whitewater) 23-18 won by major decision over Wesley Cox (Big Sandy) 17-10 (MD 12-3). 3rd Place Match - Riggin Schaffer (Powder River Co. (Broadus)) 30-13 won by decision over Straud Sims (Malta / Whitewater) 23-18 (Dec 5-2).

170: Kenan LaBrie (30-16) placed 5th and scored 9.0 team points. Champ. Round 1 - Kaydence Littlewolf (Colstrip) 10-15 won by decision over Kenan LaBrie (Malta / Whitewater) 30-16 (Dec 4-2). Cons. Round 1 - Kenan LaBrie (Malta / Whitewater) 30-16 received a bye () (Bye). Cons. Round 2 - Kenan LaBrie (Malta / Whitewater) 30-16 won by decision over Craig Berg (Poplar) 25-14 (Dec 4-1). Cons. Round 3 - Kenan LaBrie (Malta / Whitewater) 30-16 won by fall over Bowen Taylor (Circle) 9-15 (Fall 4:28). Cons. Semi - Cade Ball (Fort Benton) 28-6 won by major decision over Kenan LaBrie (Malta / Whitewater) 30-16 (MD 13-2). 5th Place Match - Kenan LaBrie (Malta / Whitewater) 30-16 won by decision over Sheldon Serrano (Roundup) 19-14 (Dec 4-2).

182: Colton Mears (30-16) placed 2nd and scored 20.0 team points. Quarterfinal - Colton Mears (Malta / Whitewater) 30-16 won by fall over Jackson Knapp (Powder River Co. (Broadus)) 6-11 (Fall 1:47). Semifinal - Colton Mears (Malta / Whitewater) 30-16 won by medical forfeit over Rylee Wiggins (Forsyth) 17-14 (M. For.). 1st Place Match - Jesse Brawley (Baker) 17-8 won by fall over Colton Mears (Malta / Whitewater) 30-16 (Fall 5:45).

205: Skylar Gilkerson (3-16) placed 8th and scored 0.0 team points. Champ. Round 1 - Skylar Gilkerson (Malta / Whitewater) 3-16 received a bye () (Bye). Quarterfinal - Micheal Bell (Wolf Point) 32-14 won by fall over Skylar Gilkerson (Malta / Whitewater) 3-16 (Fall 0:32). Cons. Round 2 - Skylar Gilkerson (Malta / Whitewater) 3-16 received a bye () (Bye). Cons. Round 3 - Tucker Turbiville (Baker) 11-18 won by fall over Skylar Gilkerson (Malta / Whitewater) 3-16 (Fall 3:54). 7th Place Match - Ben Hunt (Shepherd) 6-12 won by medical forfeit over Skylar Gilkerson (Malta / Whitewater) 3-16 (M. For.).