CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — Havre’s Martin Wilkie recently cemented himself as one of the best wrestlers in Montana history, but he isn’t done adding to his impressive resume. Wilkie is in the semifinals of the 2019 USAW Jr/16U Folkstyle Nationals in Iowa.
Wilkie won three matches on Friday in the 145-pound Juniors bracket to set up a date with California’s George Ruiz in the semifinals. Wilkie won a 10-7 decision in the Round of 32 against California’s Gabriel Cortez. Wilkie then won by tech fall, 15-0, over Adam Staver of Wisconsin before winning a 6-0 decision over Iowa’s Jack Thomsen in the quarterfinals.
Wilkie was one of five Havre wrestlers to compete on Friday afternoon but is the only one still in the winner’s bracket. Cameron Pleninger reached the quarterfinals in the 120-pound Juniors bracket but lost by major decision, 15-7, to Minnesota’s Jaxson Rohman. Pleninger then lost in the consolation Round of 16 to Minnesota’s Ben Lunn by major decision, 11-1.
Lane Paulson, also of Havre, lost out in the consolation Round of 16 after winning a pair of matches early. Connor Harris is still alive, though, as he will face Spencer Schickram of Oklahoma in the consolation quarterfinals. Harris won his opening match by tech fall, 18-3, but lost a tough 2-1 decision to Ezekial Williamson of Idaho in the Round of 16.
Forsyth’s Camron Reilly wrestled in the 126-pound Juniors bracket but lost his first two matches to open the day.
Havre’s Dominick Perkins, competing in the 126-pound 16U bracket, lost his opening match to Stephen Roberson Jr. of Indiana by pinfall in the second period. He then lost out in the consolation bracket to Nicholas Tattini of Indiana.
Helena Capital’s Carson DeRosier, wrestling in the 120-pound 16U bracket, lost in the second round before winning back-to-back consolation matches. DeRosier will face Kolten Crawford of Iowa in the consolation Round of 16.
Fans can follow the action at www.trackwrestling.com
