MSU-N's Wilkie, Bartel win CCC titles

The goal was to win the Cascade Conference Championships on their home mats. But it didn't quite happen for the Montana State University-Northern Lights wrestling team.

Hosting the CCC Friday and Saturday inside the Armory Gymnasium, the Lights were right there to the end, but a tough second day saw them come up short in their bid to win the team title as they finished third behind Eastern Oregon and Menlo College. The Lights scored 117 points, while EOU, coached by former Light Dustyn Azure, scored 130.5 and Menlo had 123.

"It really did come down to a couple of close matches," MSU-N head coach Tyson Thivierge said. "We lost a couple of overtime matches. We had a couple that we probably should have won that didn't go our way. And honestly, today (Saturday), we had an off day. Not sure why that happened, but as a team, we just didn't wrestle as well as we could have.

"It's a tough tournament though," Thivierge continued. "There was going to be nothing easy about this weekend. So many good teams, and so many really good wrestlers here."

The Lights had plenty of good moments themselves as they crowned a pair of champions in star senior Isaac Bartel at 197 pounds and former Havre High great Martin Wilkie at 141. Bartel won all four of his matches by fall, including a pin over EOU's Jay Smith in the final. That win gave him his third straight CCC title, as well as tied him as the all-time wins leader at Northern.

"It was bittersweet," Bartel said after his latest victory. "It's tough knowing this was the last match I'll ever wrestle here on this mat. But at the same time, it was a cool way to end it. The crowd was great today."

Bartel was one of three Lights to reach the finals, and nine Lights to place.

Wilkie, in his first postseason for the Lights, was also spectacular, including a 12-1 major decision over EOU's Chad Muenzer in the final. NaKoda Siegel also reached the championship round, where he lost a 3-1 heartbreaker at 174 pounds to Vanguard's Armon Fayyarzi in the championship match in overtime.

The three finalists did punch tickets to the national tournament, as did seniors Nick Kunz and Chase Short.

After a great first day, the Lights had seven semifinalists. Kunz, the 2020 national champion, lost in overtime in his semifinal, but rebounded to take third and earn a return trip to nationals. At 165, Short was upset in the semifinals, and had to fight his way back to a fifth-place finish, which also earned him a spot at nationals.

Because of the allocation process the NAIA uses for national qualifying now, the Lights ended the tournament with five wrestlers qualified, though they had several more make the podium.

Carl Hansen, at 184 pounds, will likely be a wildcard candidate after finishing fifth this weekend, while Conner Harris took sixth at 157 pounds, as did Rylin Burns at 174 pounds. Devin Crawford also placed eighth for the Lights at 165.

"We've got five guys going right now, and we'll hopefully get a couple more through the wildcard process," Thivierge said. "The guys wrestled hard, they competed. As a team, we just didn't wrestle as well as we're capable of, so now, we have a couple of weeks to get back to work and get better. Our goals are still out in front of us. We just have to go back to work."

All of Northern's qualifiers will now get ready for the 2022 NAIA national tournament, which will take place March 6-7 in Park City Kansas.

Note: The Havre Blue Ponies will be well represented at the national tournament, with former Pony Mick Chagnon also qualifying. At 125 pounds for St. Ambrose in Iowa, Chagnon placed third in the Heart of America Athletic Conference Championships Saturday.

2022 Cascade Conference Championships

Team Scores

Eastern Oregon 130.5, Menlo 123, MSU-Northern 117, Embry-Riddle 105.5, Vanguard 98, Providence 95.5, Corban 57.5, Southern Oregon 57, Simpson 41, Life Pacific 24, Arizona Christian 20.5, Warner Pacific 0.

Champions

125- Gregory Viloria (Menlo)

133- Jacob Seto (Embry Riddle)

141- Martin Wilkie (MSU-Northern)

149- Elijah Palacio (Menlo)

157- Aaron Gandara (Southern Oregon)

165- David Rubio (Corban)

174- Armon Fayyazi (Vanguard)

184- Kyle Knudtson (Eastern Oregon)

197- Isaac Bartel (MSU-Northern)

285- K.C. Buday (Providence)

MSU-Northern Individual Results

125 - Kaleb Frank

Champ. Round 1 - Kaleb Frank (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 4-9 received a bye () (Bye) Quarterfinal - Riley Siason (Menlo College (Calif.)) 3-0 won by fall over Kaleb Frank (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 4-9 (Fall 3:45) Cons. Round 2 - Adrian Guevara (Eastern Oregon University (Ore.)) 11-11 won by fall over Kaleb Frank (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 4-9 (Fall 4:19)

133 - Nick Kunz (3rd Place)

Champ. Round 1 - Nick Kunz (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 24-11 won by fall over Sunny Luna (Vanguard University (Calif.)) 3-6 (Fall 2:05) Quarterfinal - Nick Kunz (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 24-11 won by decision over Justin Coon (Southern Oregon University (Ore.)) 13-6 (Dec 4-2) Semifinal - Jacob Mendoza (Menlo College (Calif.)) 3-0 won in sudden victory - 1 over Nick Kunz (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 24-11 (SV-1 6-4)Cons. Semi - Nick Kunz (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 24-11 won by major decision over Zach Mauras (Eastern Oregon University (Ore.)) 8-6 (MD 16-6) 3rd Place Match - Nick Kunz (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 24-11 won by decision over Justin Coon (Southern Oregon University (Ore.)) 13-6 (Dec 8-4).

141 - Martin Wilkie (1st Place)

Champ. Round 1 - Martin Wilkie (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 31-3 won by fall over Zach Wigzell (Southern Oregon University (Ore.)) 2-4 (Fall 5:29) Quarterfinal - Martin Wilkie (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 31-3 won by decision over Jaxon Morlan (Eastern Oregon University (Ore.)) 7-5 (Dec 6-1) Semifinal - Martin Wilkie (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 31-3 won by fall over Caleb Birdwell (University Of Providence (Mont.)) 21-21 (Fall 2:26)

1st Place Match - Martin Wilkie (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 31-3 won by major decision over Chad Muenzer (Eastern Oregon University (Ore.)) 19-13 (MD 12-1)

149 - Colin Silverthorn

Champ. Round 1 - Berit Sturgeon (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Ariz.)) 15-5 won by fall over Colin Silverthorn (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 11-15 (Fall 2:21) Cons. Round 1 - Colin Silverthorn (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 11-15 won by fall over Elijah Blake (Simpson University (Calif.)) 0-17 (Fall 4:33) Cons. Round 2 - Nicholas Camacho (Menlo College (Calif.)) 4-1 won by tech fall over Colin Silverthorn (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 11-15 (TF-1.5 6:34 (18-3))

157 - Connor Harris (6th Place)

Champ. Round 1 - Connor Harris (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 15-15 received a bye () (Bye) Quarterfinal - Connor Harris (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 15-15 won by fall over Sheldon Cole (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Ariz.)) 15-7 (Fall 4:13) Semifinal - Carlo Castagnaro (Arizona Christian University (Ariz.)) 23-6 won by decision over Connor Harris (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 15-15 (Dec 10-5) Cons. Semi - James Williams (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Ariz.)) 21-6 won by fall over Connor Harris (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 15-15 (Fall 2:12) 5th Place Match - Adam Valdez (Vanguard University (Calif.)) 11-5 won by major decision over Connor Harris (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 15-15 (MD 14-5).

165 - Devin Crawford (8th Place)

Champ. Round 1 - Devin Crawford (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 10-14 won by major decision over Ayden Wolgamott (Southern Oregon University (Ore.)) 13-20 (MD 9-1) Quarterfinal - Jordan Komac (University Of Providence (Mont.)) 18-7 won by decision over Devin Crawford (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 10-14 (Dec 7-2) Cons. Round 2 - Devin Crawford (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 10-14 won by fall over Max Miller (Southern Oregon University (Ore.)) 12-15 (Fall 2:49) Cons. Round 3 - Keller Rock (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Ariz.)) 26-6 won by decision over Devin Crawford (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 10-14 (Dec 3-2) 7th Place Match - Jesus Zamorano (Menlo College (Calif.)) 3-2 won by decision over Devin Crawford (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 10-14 (Dec 2-1)

165 - Chase Short (5th Place)

Champ. Round 1 - Chase Short (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 20-6 received a bye () (Bye) Quarterfinal - Chase Short (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 20-6 won by decision over Jesus Zamorano (Menlo College (Calif.)) 3-2 (Dec 3-1) Semifinal - David Rubio (Corban University (Ore.)) 11-1 won by decision over Chase Short (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 20-6 (Dec 3-1) Cons. Semi - Keller Rock (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Ariz.)) 26-6 won by decision over Chase Short (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 20-6 (Dec 7-6) 5th Place Match - Chase Short (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 20-6 won in sudden victory - 1 over Rysan Leong (Menlo College (Calif.)) 2-3 (SV-1 6-4).

174 - Rylin Burns (6th Place)

Champ. Round 1 - Rylin Burns (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 13-7 won by fall over Bryant Franklin (Simpson University (Calif.)) 5-12 (Fall 1:38) Quarterfinal - Armon Fayyazi (Vanguard University (Calif.)) 8-2 won by decision over Rylin Burns (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 13-7 (Dec 3-2) Cons. Round 2 - Rylin Burns (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 13-7 won by major decision over Noah Sickles (Corban University (Ore.)) 7-12 (MD 12-4) Cons. Round 3 - Rylin Burns (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 13-7 won by decision over Payton Hume (University Of Providence (Mont.)) 10-11 (Dec 7-5) Cons. Semi - Gerardo Hernandez (Vanguard University (Calif.)) 14-7 won in sudden victory - 1 over Rylin Burns (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 13-7 (SV-1 6-4) 5th Place Match - Jordan Bernal (Menlo College (Calif.)) 5-2 won by decision over Rylin Burns (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 13-7 (Dec 6-5).

174 - NaKoda Siegel (2nd Place)

Champ. Round 1 - Nakoda Siegel (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 28-9 received a bye () (Bye)Quarterfinal - Nakoda Siegel (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 28-9 won by decision over Maximus Zamora (Menlo College (Calif.)) 1-2 (Dec 3-2) Semifinal - Nakoda Siegel (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 28-9 won in sudden victory - 1 over Gerardo Hernandez (Vanguard University (Calif.)) 14-7 (SV-1 6-4) 1st Place Match - Armon Fayyazi (Vanguard University (Calif.)) 9-2 won in sudden victory - 1 over Nakoda Siegel (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 28-9 (SV-1 3-1).

184 - Carl Hansen (5th Place)

Champ. Round 1 - Carl Hansen (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 19-10 won by fall over Malachi Dowdell (Life Pacific University (Calif.)) 8-7 (Fall 4:38) Quarterfinal - Carl Hansen (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 19-10 won by fall over Afton Silvis (Menlo College (Calif.)) 2-2 (Fall 3:29) Semifinal - Hayden Schrull (University Of Providence (Mont.)) 16-5 won by fall over Carl Hansen (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 19-10 (Fall 5:32) Cons. Semi - Baron Gaunt (Vanguard University (Calif.)) 15-7 won by decision over Carl Hansen (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 19-10 (Dec 9-4) 5th Place Match - Carl Hansen (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 19-10 won by fall over Alan Badley (University Of Providence (Mont.)) 20-15 (Fall 2:57).

197 - Isaac Bartel (1st Place)

Champ. Round 1 - Isaac Bartel (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 37-2 won by fall over Michael Moreno (Arizona Christian University (Ariz.)) 3-11 (Fall 1:08) Quarterfinal - Isaac Bartel (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 37-2 won by fall over Macoy Christman (Corban University (Ore.)) 3-7 (Fall 1:06) Semifinal - Isaac Bartel (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 37-2 won by fall over Jeremiah Smith (Life Pacific University (Calif.)) 15-6 (Fall 1:36) 1st Place Match - Isaac Bartel (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 37-2 won by fall over Jay Smith (Eastern Oregon University (Ore.)) 22-6 (Fall 4:01).

285 - Rylan Moldenhauer

Champ. Round 1 - Brandon Sotomayor (Life Pacific University (Calif.)) 2-3 won by decision over Rylan Moldenhauer (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 11-23 (Dec 5-4) Cons. Round 1 - Rylan Moldenhauer (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 11-23 won by decision over Caleb Baker (Arizona Christian University (Ariz.)) 2-12 (Dec 7-3)

Cons. Round 2 - Carson Hatch (Vanguard University (Calif.)) 8-6 won by decision over Rylan Moldenhauer (Montana State University-Northern (Mont.)) 11-23 (Dec 7-3).