The 2012 high school wrestling postseason is here. And one of the big events will take place Saturday in Conrad.
Harlem, Chinook, Chester/J-I and Big Sandy will be among many teams vying for the Northern B-C wrestling championship Saturday in Conrad, but perhaps just as important, the tournament is the gateway to the Class B-C state tournament.
Of the Class B schools in attendance, Choteau and Harlem could be favored this weekend, but host Conrad, which has dominated the Northern Division for years shouldn’t be counted either. Chinook could contend as well, but the Sugarbeeters may not have the numbers to score enough points to keep up with the deeper Class B squads. Cascade-Simms is another strong Class C team, which makes Saturday’s field a deep and talented one.
Individually, Harlem will make a run the divisional title thanks to stars Teague Jones and Shay Snider. Snider is ranked NO. 1 at 105 pounds and Jones is No. 1 at 112. Both grapplers have had an outstanding season for a Harlem team which has really come into its own in B-C wrestling over the last three years.
The Wildcats’ Chris Schupe is another standout, and they are good at heavyweight as well.
Of course, all eyes will be on Chinook’s Ben Stroh and Jorell Jones this weekend. At 189 pounds, Stroh will look to keep his streak of 100-lus pins alive while winning his fourth straight B-C title. Jones is also unbeaten at 215 this season and shouldn’t be challenged in Conrad. The Beeters will also look to Cord Anderson to get them big points this weekend.
It’s been a good year for wrestling in Chester this winter, especially with the likes of Shalon Norvick being one of the top B-C heavyweights. Norvick is a favorite this weekend, while Leonard Pugsley and Erik Kelly will also look to advance to next week’s state tournament. Big Sandy will hope to get Kasey Martin through as well.
The top four wrestlers in each weight class from Saturday’s Northern B-C Divisional will advance to the All-Class State Tournament which runs Feb. 10-11 at the Billings Metra.
