Hawk Wrestling Takes State
By Danny Waldo
The Bozeman Hawk wrestling team entered the 2019 All-Class state wrestling tournament as the favorite to take home the title in Class AA, and they didn’t disappoint, outscoring the field with a commanding 260.5 points to take home their first state title since 2011.
The Hawks left little doubt as to who was the best wrestling team in the state after entering the postseason with an unblemished dual record and a handful of tournament titles from the regular season. Bozeman quickly jumped into the lead after the opening day of action, putting up 132 points to secure a 30+ point advantage heading into the semifinals and finals, and they didn’t let up as the second-place finisher, Great Falls High, was Bozeman’s nearest competitor with just 197 points. Third-place finisher, Billings Senior, rounded out the top three with 179 points.
Bozeman was paced on the mat by three-time state champion Leif Schroeder at 132 pounds and another three-time winner, Chance McLane, at 152 pounds. All told, Bozeman finished with 12 placers, including three third-place winners, three second-place finishers, and a pair of state champions.
“It was good man, super excited about, kids did a great job and worked hard,” Bozeman coach Nate Laslovich said. “I’m so proud of Leif and Chance, I think those guys are both phenom wrestlers.”
