Kari Gibb/MDN Bishop Ryan senior Cade Okeson, in previous action, won first place at 285-pounds at the East-West Wrestling Tournament in New Salem over the weekend.

NEW SALEM – There were 21 boys wrestling teams that converged on New Salem for the East-West wrestling tournament over the weekend. Lisbon took the top spot at the event with a team score of 153.5 with the Velva Aggies in second at 125 and the hosting team in third with a 122 team score.

Several local teams participated in the tournament as teams are winding down the dual and tournament schedules in preparation for postseason events.

Velva’s top finisher was Carson Hildre at 152 with a first place finish. Isaiah Hackman finished second at the tournament at 107 for the Aggies. Maddox Campbell placed fourth at 160 for the team. Luke Soli (127), Maddison Barstad (172) and Jayden Foss (215) each took fifth at the event for Velva as well. Brexton Yanish placed sixth at 139 while Noah Werner was eighth at 189 for the Aggies.

The Stanley Blue Jays took tenth at the tournament with a team score of 81.5 at the meet. Trey Bohmbach took second place for Stanley at 189 and was joined by Griffin Wilhelmi as the second place finisher at 215 for the Blue Jays. At 127, Cohen Bell took third place while Levi Uran at 285 placed sixth for additional team points.

The grapplers from Kenmare-Bowbells/Burke Central placed 12th with 81 team points at the tournament. William Cook at 145 took the title for the Honkers. Cole Mogren placed third at the tournament at 121 while Lincoln Spear did the same at 160 for Kenmare-Bowbells/Burke Central. Conner Melin took sixth at 127 while teammates Tucker Timm (215) and Delaney Feldman (285) each placed eighth.

The Bishop Ryan Lions took 13th place at the event with 78 team points. Drew Zwak at 172-pounds and Cade Okeson at 285-lbs each took first place at the tournament. Payton Seay at 114 took fourth place, earning team points while Zachary Spain added to the team total with his fifth place finish at 139 for the Lions.

The Rugby Panthers had one wrestler place seventh at the tournament. Bailey Zachmeier at 152 earned points and placed at the tournament.

The NW Region Dual Tournament will begin this Saturday, February 8, at Stanley while the 2025 NDHSAA Class B, West Region Tournament will begin on Saturday, February 15, at Killdeer High School.

Team Scores

1. Lisbon, 153.5

2. Velva, 125.0

3. New Salem-Almont, 122.0

4. Oakes, 97.0

5. Northern Lights, 96.5

6. Napoleon, 94.5

7. Ellendale-Edgeley-Kulm, 92.5

8. Kindred, 90.0

9. Bowman County, 86.5

10. Stanley, 81.5

10. Williams County, 81.5

12. Kenmare/Bowbells/Burke Central, 81.0

13. Bishop Ryan, 78.0

14. Carrington, 77.5

15. Killdeer, 72.0

16. Hillsboro-Central Valley, 55.5

17. LaMoure, 53.0

18. Hettinger-Scranton, 51.0

19. Beulah-Hazen, 37.0

20. Rugby, 12.5

21. White Shield, 0.0