By: Logan Parvinen

The Butte Wrestling Club has been a staple for youth wrestling in the community for nearly 60 years.

In a folkstyle event held on Sunday, Feb 5th, at the Butte Civic Center, the Butte Wrestling Club had 131 total kids participate. Fourteen kids managed to receive gold, 26 kids received silvers, and 19 kids received bronze medals.

In the Tot 50/55 class, three kids from the Butte wrestling club finished in first, second, and fourth. Brexdyn Renz brought the gold home, and Lowen Weigle got the silver. Lucas Facincani placed fourth after a hard-fought 10-7 loss in the 3rd-place match.

Lily Podgorski stood atop the podium in the Girls Tot 45/50 class. After a first-round bye, Lily would win her next two matches by pinfall.

Tripp Johnston, son of Butte High head coach Cory Johnston, competed in the Bantam 50A class and won in a nail-biter. Tripps’ first-round bye and second-round pin would set him up for an overtime decision of 8-6 in the championship round.

Brayson Renz finished 1st place in the Bantam 60B. After a first-round bye, Brayson would win his next two matches via pinfall.

Brystol Richards struck gold in the Bantam 65/70 class after two pinfall victories. Brystol also had the 3rd fastest pin of the event with a 9-second pinfall.

Roper Henke also similarly struck gold as Brystol. After a first-round bye in the Midget 80B class, Roper would win his next two matches via pinfalls. Both pins were in under a minute.

Braydon Regan took home the gold in the Midget 103/112 class. A first-round bye led to a 45-second pinfall victory. In the championship round, Braydon would win by way of a 15-0 tech fall.

Aspen Garrison and Jerzi Nichols both wrestled in the Midget 80 class. Both girls faced each other twice, with Aspen finishing first and Jerzi finishing second.

Cameron Johnston, also the son of Cory Johnston, finished 1st in the Novice 65 class. A first-round bye set Cam up for two quick pinfalls on the way to a gold medal.

Carter Fulton had a busy day in the Novice 70B class. Carter started his day with a pinfall victory and then battled to a 10-4 win to advance to the championship. In the 1st place match, Carter would win another full-length match by a score of 8-5.

Crew O’Connors emerged victorious in the 80A class. His first two matches were late pinfall victories. In his 1st place match, Crew would win by a 15-0 tech fall.

Adalie Hazlett is the third girl to score gold for the Butte Wrestling Club. With a first-round bye, Adalie would win her next two matches by pinfall. Adalie competed in the Girls’ Novice 80 class.

Hayden Kuper would wrestle fellow hometown kid Zachary McLarnon of the Mine Yard Wrestling Club. Hayden would win both matches to claim gold in the Schoolboy 70. Zachary would acquire the silver.

Camden Ingraham and Michael Merenz would face off against each other in the Schoolboy 110 class. Both kids wrestled hard with Camden taking first and Michael taking silver.

In the Tot age group, Tysen Bennett (40A) and Lowen Weigle (50/55) brought home the silver.

In the Bantam age group, Maverick Schonsberg (40), Treysen Thomas (45C), Jaxson Smith (50C), Hank Butala (70), and Iris Lockyer (Girls 50) would all finish 2nd.

Mark Johnson III (50), August Sutey (60B), Christopher Costello (75A), Pierce Collins (85), Reagan Groce (90), Bodie Petritz (95), Adelynn Bumgarner (Girls 55), Karly Kindt (Girls 60), and Jerzi Nichols (Girls 80) took home the silver in the Midget age group.

Knox Cramer (85B), Beckham Kinsey (90), Kolton Knutson (95), and Tenley Osborne (Girls 80) finished 2nd in the Novice age group.

For the Schoolboy age group, Isaac Zell (100), Michael Merenz (110), Treigh Hollow (115), Cameron Fleege (130), and Olyvia Pascoe (Girls 160) struck silver.

Aiden Maesar was the lone cadet to take second in the Cadet age group.

For more stats, results, and details, go to https://www.trackwrestling.com and search for Butte AAU Youth Folkstyle.