Delorme wins state wrestling title at 157 pounds

Dylan Delorme stole the show, claiming the Class A state title at 157 pounds for Columbia Falls at the state wrestling tournament last weekend. Delorme was unstoppable, collecting two pins, a major decision, and a decisive 6-1 victory in the championship match. He started his title run with a lightning-fast 91-second pin over Dawson County’s Keenan Huber, followed by another pin against Lockwood’s Trace Steinmetz. In the semifinals, Delorme overpowered Sidney/Fairview’s Brody Keysor with a 15-1 major decision. In the final showdown, Delorme controlled the match from start to finish, defeating Laurel’s Logan Knaub and securing the gold.

Crump Crushes His Way to Second Place

Rowdy Crump was a force in the 190-pound bracket, battling his way to a runner-up finish. Crump’s road to the finals was paved with pins—first against Havre’s Ira Moore, then East Helena’s Cooper Dighans, and finally Lockwood’s James Mills in the semifinals. Though he fell via technical fall in the championship match, Crump’s grit earned him a well-deserved second-place finish.

Cronk Claims Third with a Strong Comeback

At 165 pounds, Blaise Cronk fought his way to the podium with a third-place finish. Cronk opened with a quick pin over Three Forks/Ennis’ Dylan Anderson and followed it up by pinning Laurel’s Caleb Cook in just 55 seconds. After a semifinal loss, Cronk rebounded with a fall against Dawson County’s Keaton Wegin. In the third-place match, Cronk finished strong, pinning Frenchtown’s Branch Martin to secure bronze.

Peters Powers to Fourth Place

Wrestling at 175 pounds, Winslow Peters showcased his resilience with a fourth-place finish. Peters picked up three victories, including an injury win over Havre’s Austin Cronin in the first round and a 13-11 victory over Laurel’s Eli Hill in the quarterfinals. After a loss in the semifinals, Peters put up a gutsy performance through the consolation semifinals that saw him defeat Dillon’s Hank Hagenbarth 9-6. Peters would fall in the third-place match.

As a team, the Wildcats took eighth.

COLUMBIA FALLS GIRLS SHOWCASE TALENT AND TOUGHNESS

The Wildkats made their mark in Billings, with two wrestlers earning spots on the podium.

LaChance Lands Fourth Place

At 134 pounds, Anjenoux LaChance delivered a stellar performance, notching four victories against the state’s top competitors. She opened with a bye and then secured a dominant 19-11 major decision over Miles City’s Kaylee Orcutt. Despite a quarterfinal loss, LaChance battled back with pins over Corvallis’ Jocelyn Covington and Miles City’s Evie Peila. She reached the consolation semifinals, where she scored a 5-1 decision over Fergus’ Camryn Fiscus, ultimately finishing fourth after a hard-fought third-place match.

Larsen Locks in Sixth Place

Samantha Larsen fought through a crowded 145-pound bracket to place sixth. After a first-round bye, Larsen earned a pin over Dillon’s Bailey Blake. She suffered a loss in the semifinals but bounced back with a razor-thin 1-0 victory over Flathead’s Elisa Bernabe and another pin against Billings Senior’s Dynesty Peak. Despite dropping her final matches, Larsen’s grit secured her a spot on the podium.

A Proud Weekend for Columbia Falls Wrestling

With podium finishes from both the boys’ and girls’ teams, Columbia Falls showed they’re a power in Western Montana wrestling.