Kari Gibb/MDN Magicians Eliah Rogers works on Michael Charrette from Turtle Mountain Community High School (TMCHS) in action at 127-lbs during the Minot Early Bird invitational at Minot High on Saturday, November 23.

Regardless of class or division, big schools or small – the wrestling skills and abilities were up for display at the Minot Early Bird with seven schools present. Carrington had wrestlers place in several weights while Bishop Ryan, Watford City, Des Lacs-Burlington and Turtle Mountain Community High School (TMCHS) all pushed the Magicians on their home mats.

Carrington won their first title at 114-lbs with Skye Kramlich beating Payton Seay of Bishop Ryan in the final. Minot High’s Jack Combs bested Gunner Wahus of Watford City for third place.

At 127, Dru Carr bested Carrington teammate Jayden Broadwell for first place while Minot High’s Tayven Blackaby beat his Minot High teammate Eliah Rogers for third place.

Minot Highs’ Korbin Kraft beat James Rasmussen from Watford City for first place at 133 while Shawn Barrette from Des Lacs-Burlington was fourth behind three Watford City grapplers at 145-lbs.

At 152, Breyden Buee of Des Lacs-Burlington bested Raphael Trottier of TMCHS for third place and Zachary Spain from Bishop Ryan bested Will Langford from Watford City for fifth place.

Turtle Mountain wrestlers were ‘one-two’ at 160-lbs while Scott Triplett from Minot High lost to Driffon Signalness from Watford City for third place.

Magician Gavin Tanberg lost to Carrington’s Max Ciubotareanu in the final at 172-lbs while Evan Racine from Minot High was third at 189-lbs.

Lakers 215-lbs Kenny Smith won the final against Kirby Freeman from Carrington and Bishop Ryan standout Cade Okeson was first over Des Lacs-Burlington Johnathan Smith at 285. Minot High 285-lbs rep, Liam Neff placed fifth at the meet.

Several of the Western Dakota Association (WDA) schools will have duals the day before Thanksgiving while other schools will start in earnest the first week of December.