MISSOULA- The Knights wrestling team drowned Bozeman High School in their season opening dual match, 35-21 last Saturday Dec. 2, for their first dual win since 2011.
The Knights fell behind pace early as 152-pounder Pi Taylon would spot the Hawks with a 6-0 lead, pinning his opponent at 1:29 during the first period of the day. Senior captain Dillon Gunlock answered right back in the 160-pound class, with a dominant 11-2 major decision win over Bozeman’s Andrew Sikes. That full-time match included four takedowns, two escapes, and a nearfall for Hellgate’s talented veteran.
“It’s super important to start the dual off with a win,” said Gunlock. “It was a lot of our wrestlers’ first match, so setting that example is super important for the younger guys on how to wrestle and go through matches which are super intense. Starting off with a win like that gives the team confidence to get on the mat under the spotlight and compete to win for our school.”
The next match of the day at 205, saw Bozeman’s Hector Gallegos come out on top of a full six-minute defensive battle 2-1, increasing the Hawks’ lead to 15-4. Hellgate junior Jayden Friesen then provided the first fireworks of the day for the Knights, with Hellgate’s first pin of the season. He wasted no time beating Bozeman’s 285-pounder by fall, at 47 seconds in the first period. That match would set up Hellgate’s Oliver Caton to boost the Knights to their first lead of the afternoon, as his forfeit match at 113 began a run of 15 unanswered points.
“Believing in myself and staying calm led to that pin,” said Friesen. “What led to the win was everyone on this team working hard for the last two weeks, and staying consistent with numbers and filling up weight classes.”
At 120, junior captain Eddie Rosbarsky continued that run of points with a 6-4 win by major decision, that included two near falls and a takedown. Jack Barret would pick up another six points for the Knights with his forfeit win at 126, and Michael Almacher matched Barrett with another forfeit win to spot the Knights with a 31-21 lead, heading into the final match of the dual.
At 145, junior Grady Caton put the icing on top of the cake in dominant fashion, with a 16-3 win by major decision over Bozeman’s Anderson Lannoye. Caton picked up four takedowns, two nearfalls, and a reversal to end the day for the Knights with an additional 4 points, as Hellgate finished with 35 total points over the Hawks’ 21.
The Knights hit the road this weekend (Dec. 8-9) for the Mining City Duals in Butte, as their season kicks into full gear. Both the boys and girls basketball teams will be at home this Friday (Dec. 8) for their season opening games against Billings Skyview.
