The Billings Central Rams Wrestling team competed in Livingston for the Class A Duals tournament. Wrestling duals put two teams against each other, as opposed to individual tournament-style matches.
Joliet junior Trey Bazaldua celebrates a win at the Montana Class A Duals (Aramis Rivera)
The Rams began the week at home against Dawson County (Glendive) with a big win on senior night in Central’s Ralph Nelles Center. The Rams then travelled up to Livingston on Friday and began Class A Duals. Starting with a win over the eighth-ranked Corvallis Blue Devils 41-35, thanks to key wins from junior 118# Aramis Rivera, sophomore 126# DJay Wipf, as well as senior 215# Solomon Stortz. Rivera and Wipf beat the number two ranks at their respective weights.
Senior Solomon Stortz (Aramis Rivera)
The Rams’ next dual was against another Western A opponent, Libby/Troy. Freshman 110# Kaius Rivera, ranked number one at 110, picked up a key win for the Rams leading them to a 44-35 win over the Loggers. The Rams picked up another ranked win against tenth-ranked Beaverhead County (Dillon). Stortz pinned the number one ranked wrestler at his weight, putting an emphasis on his undefeated record. The Rams beat the Beavers 57-18. The Rams then dropped a tough dual against third-ranked Sidney 47-26 to end pool play. Stortz picked up yet another ranked win against the number three.
The Rams began tournament play with a 38-37 win over Frenchtown. Joliet junior Trey Bazaldua picked up a key pin to seal the victory for the Rams. Joliet junior Trystan Knight and sophomore 132# Xander McCann also picked up key wins. The Rams then dropped a rough dual against number one Laurel.
Sophomore Xander McCann (Aramis Rivera)
The Rams next dualed the seventh ranked Havre Blue Ponies and picked up a win to send them to the fifth-sixth place match. Wipf and the Riveras picked up key pins, with Aramis pinning his opponent in nine seconds. The Rams finished off the tournament with a huge 57-12 win against sixth-ranked Columbia Falls to take fifth place.
Our lone Lady Ram, freshman 105# Emma Hernandez, picked up a third-place finish in the Park High girls tournament. Next week, the Rams and Lady Ram will be in Malta. Followed by Divisionals in Glendive February 7th and 8th, and State at the Metra February 13th-15th. Go Rams!
