Bulldog freshman Aurund runner-up in State A wrestling

Whitefish freshman Landree Aurund finished his inaugural high school season on the podium at the All-Class State wrestling tournament in Billings on Saturday.

Aurund is no stranger to the podium as he’s had top finishes in several tournaments throughout the season. He stayed undefeated throughout the first day of competition at state to set up a tough match with Miles City’s Isaac Beardsley in the 120-pound championship match. Beardsley caught ended up pinning Aurund in 1:42.

“Landree kind of shocked the state…” Whitefish coach Danny Neff expressed. “He fought really hard; I’m super proud of the kid. He’s got a ton of ability and talent, he’s got a motor in him, he loves to win, and I’m really excited to see what his future has in store.”

Throughout the first day of the state tournament, Aurund won by a 5-0 decision in the first round over Sidney’s Deegan Carranza. Next, he pinned Columbia Falls’ Tyler Gilfry in 5:33 and battled through another close match with Glendive’s Austin Berry in the semifinal round to win by decision, 6-4.

“In the semifinals, he beat the No. 2 kid in the state which was really exciting,” Neff said. “They were tied 4-4 going into the third with 10 seconds left and ended up getting a takedown to win 6-4. That caused a lot of excitement amongst our team, parents, managers, etcetera.”

Whitefish wrestling qualified four athletes to compete at the state tournament, however sophomore Henry Bennetts did not compete due to a concussion suffered at divisionals.

Two more Bulldog freshmen took to the mat at state, getting valuable postseason experience under their belt.

At 132, Bulldog Logan Heyne went up against Sidney’s Kaden Wise in the opening round and unfortunately was pinned by Wise. Heyne fought back in the consolation bracket winning by decision over Chase Wells of Hardin, however he then lost in the second consolation round on a 6-2 decision to Hamilton’s Jesse Anson.

Caleb Flemming also competed for Whitefish at state. He was pinned in the opening round by Laurel’s Kade Wersland. Fleming then turned around a pinned Connor Benson of Libby in 3:50 in the consolation bracket, but lost in the second consolation round.

Although Aururnd was the only Bulldog to make it into the second day of competition, Neff knows the future is bright for Whitefish wrestling with such young talent on the squad.

“Landree was the only one to place, but those three that went were freshmen so I’m really excited to be around them the next three years and see what they can do,” he said.

Whitefish placed 19 as a team. Sidney won the State A tournament and area teams Ronan placed 6 and Columbia Falls finished eighth.

State A Tournament

Friday and Saturday

Billings

Individual results

1st Place Match

120 - Isaac Beardsley (Miles City) p. Landree Aurund (Whitefish) (Fall 1:42)

Semifinal

120 - Landree Aurund (Whitefish) won by decision over Austin Berry (Glendive) (Dec 6-4)

Quarterfinal

120 - Landree Aurund (Whitefish) p. Tyler Gilfry (Columbia Falls) (Fall 5:33)

Cons. Round 2

132 - Jesse Anson (Hamilton) won by decision over Logan Heyne (Whitefish) (Dec 6-2)

138 - Cody Hofer (Billings Central/Joliet) p. Caleb Fleming (Whitefish) (Fall 2:32)

Cons. Round 1

132 - Logan Heyne (Whitefish) won by decision over Chase Wells (Hardin) (Dec 9-5)

138 - Caleb Fleming (Whitefish) p. Connor Benson (Libby/Troy) (Fall 3:50)

Champ. Round 1

120 - Landree Aurund (Whitefish) won by decision over Deegan Carranza (Sidney/Fairview) (Dec 5-0)

132 - Kaden Wise (Sidney/Fairview) p. Logan Heyne (Whitefish) (Fall 3:25)

138 - Kade Wersland (Laurel) p. Caleb Fleming (Whitefish) (Fall 2:56)