Young grapplers end season

Malta wrestlers were pretty busy in the last week of March, participating in the Montana Open on March 25-26. The Little Guy Wrestlers had their State Meet on April 1.

Malta had three first place finishers at the State Little Guy Meet at the CMR High School Gym in Great Falls.

In the State Little Guy 14 & Under class, Dre Oshio took first. Laytin Erickson and Kenan LaBrie both took first place in their weight classes in the 8 & Under age group.

“To come out with three state champions, especially with Laytin being in the biggest bracket in that group, that was pretty impressive,” said Malta Wrestling Coach Ryan LaBrie. “It was just a good finish all around for our kids. Not to say that we are glad it’s over but we let out with a couple of big bangs.”

Theo Anderson went 2-2 in the 8 & Under class. Gabe Oshio and Nolan Moore also represented Malta in the 6 & Under class.

The Montana Open featured 1,640 wrestlers among all age groups from 8 & Under to 18 & Under. There were 14 mats running throughout the entire event.

“The Montana Open is a huge event,” said Coach LaBrie. “We had 18 guys wrestling down there. That was one of the biggest groups that we have taken down there in the last few years. I was impressed with the turnout we had and really the way they wrestled.”

In the 18 & Under class, Trey Simanton took third place, Travis Epperson took fifth and Ceaton Mears took fifth. Kolter Schipman also participated.

In the 15 & Under class, Miles Bunk took third place. Camryn Mears went 2-2. Blake Watts and Callan Mears also participated.

Luke Oxarart was the highest placer from Malta, taking second place in the 10 & Under class. Kohner Schipman went 3-2 in the group and Straud Sims was 2-2.

In the 8 & Under class, Laytin Erickson took third, Kenan LaBrie took fifth and Steeler Blunt and Trevor Knowles both participated.

Cameron Mikesell, Colton Mears and Spencer Gibbs participated in the 12 & Under class.

“It was a really solid performance from the top to the bottom as far as from the youth level all the way to the high school kids that participated,” Coach LaBrie said.

According to Coach LaBrie, The Malta Wrestling Club has had a strong season and a lot of it is due to the support the team gets from the local wrestling community.

“To have that kind of participation in all three levels (high school, middle school and youth) all at one event is pretty impressive to me. It’s a testament to the parents, coaches and the dedication that those wrestlers have made to us. I can’t thank them enough.”