Lady Cat Wrestling Team Brings Home 1st Team Title From Badger Invitational

The Harlem Lady Cats wrestling team brought home hardware a season ago but for the first time in school history they brought home a First Place Team Trophy. The Lady Cats won the Badger Invitational in Cascade running away from the field in the process. The Lady Cats amassed 123 points, 57 more than the second place Simms Tigers. In addition all eight Lady Cat Wrestlers made the podium and took home a medal.

Senior Amelia Blackcrow led the way, winning three matches en route to the 152 pound Individual Championship. Freshman Elleonna Azure was second at 185, sophomore Izzy Baker (4-1) placed third at 114. Junior Kaitlyn Johnson (3-1) placed third at 126, Senior Mylah Rider (2-2) placed fourth at 138. Sophomore Ihte` Stiffarm (1-2) was fifth 152, freshman Cyla Adams (4-2) finished fifth in the 114 pound division. Freshman Svea Hogan placed sixth at 114.

For the boys senior Leon Champagne (2-3) placed sixth at 152 and freshman Kiiw Windy Boy (2-3) was sixth at 182.

Head Coach Jonny Baker was thrilled with his teams early season success, "The boys all did well, we got hit with a couple pig tail losses right out the gate, but both of those boys won a match in their exhibition matches the next day."

Experience goes a long way and the kids have some now, "They seem to be conditioned and hungry for a win, but little mistakes are still being made." It's a good starting point for improvement, "We now have that wonderful baseline to build from."

Baker stresses conditioning to his team every day, "We coach to wrestle all six minutes of a match and that seemed to be present having matches won in the third round or being down by eight and coming back for a pin."

The results may not be podium finishes but the effort is there and success will follow, "Proud of all the boys, they came to represent their community and what hard work can do for you. We had a couple boys place for their first tournament ever and it was a good way to set the tone for their seasons."

The girls results certainly gets the coach excited, " The girls, what can I say I entered eight into the tournament and all eight won a medal. Izzy Baker, a sophomore, led the way along with freshman Cyla Adams picking up the first wins on the girls team on Saturday and the girls were off from there."

Baker was thrilled by his champion, "Senior Amilia BlackCrow with a first place finish, proved to me that she can adapt to any weight class and read her competition well."

The new girls on the roster really shined, "Three of the girls are brand new to wrestling and wanted to be entered in the exhibition matches only. I asked them at the beginning of the tournament if it was okay if I entered them in the big show and they all said yes. All three ended up on the podium."

Bringing home a championship trophy is always a thrill but this one was special, "School History was made with the girls bringing home the first ever tournament championship hardware! All eight girls are excited to see how far they can go as a team this year," said Baker. "One of the girls told me they are going to need a bigger trophy case when we are done! I told them I hope so!"

Girls wrestling is still fairly new and is growing day to day it seems and the Lady Cats are at the forefront of that growth, "I'm very proud of these girls, they are all so different, but all have the same attitude and work ethic when it comes to practice and drive. I look forward to needing a bigger trophy case someday as well."

Baker concluded by saying, "All and all it was a successful weekend. We will give 'em heck in Glasgow and Wolf Point this coming week! Very proud of these kids and their accomplishments."

The Wildcats and Lady Cats will be in Wolf Point this Thursday and then head to Glasgow this Friday and Saturday for the Scottie Invitational. Next they will head to the Fort Benton Mixer on Thursday, December 16 before closing out 2022 at the CMR Holiday Classic in Great Falls December 16 and 17.