Zinke shines at Dillon Duals
Led by senior Konrad Zinke, Whitefish wrestling overcame a sluggish start to post a strong showing at the Dillon Duals on Saturday.
The Bulldogs went 1-2 as a team, notching a 69-0 dual win over depleted Butte Central to end the tournament on a high note.
“Butte doesn’t have a big team, but we didn’t lose a match to them,” Whitefish coach Ryan Boyle said.
Senior 170-pounder Zinke opened the New Year with a great tournament. Zinke had three victories on the day, including two pins and an impressive decision over Butte’s Ryan Moodry.
“Konrad was a big standout for us,” Boyle said. “He had a really tough match against Butte.”
Whitefish dropped a dual 42-29 against Hamilton to open the day, then narrowly lost 42-36 to Dillon in round 2.
“Against Hamilton, it was the first dual for us out of Christmas break and the guys were just sluggish — not our best performance,” Boyle said. “We could have won. We’re looking forward to seeing them again in a few weeks.”
The Dogs were even on matches wrestled against Dillon, with a few forfeits making the difference in the final tally.
“They have some tough kids,” Boyle said. “We matched up well with Dillon.”
He noted the performances from 152-pounder Malik Haydon and 120-pounder Eli Taylor, who both scored pins.
“Those were big wins for us in a tight dual,” Boyle said.
With the Christmas break rust worn away, Boyle says his team is ready for the January grind.
“At Monday’s practice everyone was ready to go, and that was what we needed to see,” Boyle said. “We want to keep that attitude going.”
Whitefish travels to Cut Bank for a tournament on Saturday. The Dogs won’t make a home appearance until Jan. 28 against Polson.
Hamilton 42, Whitefish 29
113-Michael Golden (Ham) pinned (3:55) Taisuke Matsuo (WF); 120 Adrian Garcia (Ham) pinned (1:15) Eli Taylor (WF); 132-Steven Banks (Ham) pinned (1:52) Isaac Watts (WF); 138-James Buckley (WF) major dec. (3:12) Dustin Copeland (Ham); 145--Kris Anderson (Ham) pinned (4:55) Brooks Krause (WF); 152-Steven Scheffer (Ham) pinned (2:21) Malik Heydon (WF); 160-Manny Rivera (Ham) pinned (2:49) Brady Staves (WF); 170-Konrad Zinke (WF) pinned (1:05) Christian Ellis (Ham); 182-Triston Knopp (WF) pinned (4:49) Kyle Anderson (Ham); 285-Steven Quimby (WF) pinned (1:08) Justin Murray (Ham)
Dillon 42, Whitefish 36
120-Eli Taylor (WF) pinned (4:59) Joe Kidd (Dil); 126-Kohltin Starkel (Dil) pinned (1:22) Dillon Thorsteinson (WF); 132-Kwin Stoddard (Dil) pinned (:37) Issac Watts (WF); 136-Brent Tezak (Dil) pinned (4:53) James Buckley (WF); 145-Bridger Nelson (Dil) pinned (1:00) Brooks Krause (WF); 152-Malik Haydon (WF) pinned (1:46) Tyler Steadman (Dil); 160-Patrick Griffin (Dil) pinned (2:43) Brady Staves (WF); 170-Konrad Zinke (WF) pinned (1:02) Shawn Horner (Dil); 285-Steven Quimby (WF) pinned (:21) Nick Thompson (Dil)
Whitefish 69, Butte Central 0
113-Taisuke Matsuo (WF) pinned (1:06) Patrick Harrington (BC); 126-Dillon Thorsteinson (WF) pinned (2:14) Clay Fischer (BC); 170-Konrad Zinke (WF) dec. Ryan Moodry (BC); 182-Triston Knopp (WF) pinned (1:28) Colter Stillwagon (BC).