Roberts, Joubert, Webbers win Little Guy state titles

Shonn Roberts, Garrett Joubert and the Webber brothers, William and RJ, captured Little Guy Wrestling state titles at the Western Montana Championships last Saturday at Sentinel High School in Missoula.

Teamwise, the young Mat Cats earned third place in the large team division, scoring 58 points. Corvallis was first with 79, and Kalispell was runner-up with 77.

Teams from all over western Montana, from Eureka to Dillon, competed in the state tournament.

Individually the Mat Cats placed 16 in the Novice, Middle and Junior divisions respectively.

Roberts, who completed an undefeated season, won the Novice 70 title. Joubert also had a perfect season, capped by winning the Novice 90 championship. Also winning state crowns were William Webber at Novice 190, and RJ Webber at Junior 240.

Josiah Osborne of the Mat Cats, competing at Middle 105, put together three excellent tournaments the last three weekends. He finished second to Jacen Peterson from Mission, but it was a 3-2 match.

Wyatt Green at Novice 60 also placed second. Every time Green steps on the mat it is fun to watch, according to coach Kelly Houle. Colten Gove placed second at Novice 75. Houle said he put together a great tournament. Dylan Corbett, wrestling at Junior 130, placed second. He has improved a ton over the course of the season and won both the Unit and Inter-Valley tournament the past two weekends, according to Houle. Joseph McIntyre competing at Novice 190 also placed second. Houle said McIntyre keeps getting better and better.

Jayce Fagerland, who won titles at the Unit and Inter-Valley tourneys, placed third at Middle 85. Cameron Linstead at Novice 65 lost a heart-breaking semi-final match but then bounced back to place third, Houle indicated.

"That shows a lot of character for an athlete that young," Houle said.

Wayde Motichka, Middle 224, also placed third, beating Dominic Sargent from Whitefish in the consolation finals. Josh Folsom, Junior 152, lost in the semi-finals but came back and won two to finish third. Adam Richardson, competing at 119B, also placed third.

"Adam was a pleasant surprise and wrestled the tournament of his life," Houle said.

Tristen Steinwand of the Mat Cats, at Novice 75, earned fourth place at the state tournament.

"Tristen is a fun one to watch he keeps the activity of the match at a high level," Houle said.

Also earning fourth was Daniel Hutchens at Novice 158, showing a ton of improvement over the season, according to Houle.

Houle also commended the other Mat Cats who competed at state, as they had to get through two qualifiers to earn a berth at Missoula.

The coach gave thanks to all the volunteers, coaches, parents and other fans for their support during the Little Guy Wrestling season. Houle said he was already looking forward to next season.