BELLE FOURCHE - New Belle Fourche High School head wrestling coach Justin Schlecht figured it was early in the season and his Broncs will improve since "this is a great team."

Sturgis head coach Steve Keszler was pleased with his team's 49-13 near sweep of the season opener for Northern Hills teams Thursday at Belle Fourche - and had high praise for his former athlete on the other side of the mat.

Schlecht is a Scooper alum who returned to the Northern Hills to head the Bronc wrestling program.

Keszler said Schlecht will have the Broncs sparkling by season's end.

"He was never satisfied and that's the Sturgis motto: 'Never satisfied,'" he said. "It was kind of a historic night for us since I was coaching against a former athlete. He was in the room from freshman on. Just a hard working kid."

The stats showed the Scoopers dominant or closely competitive in every weight class. They won by pins in

5-of-14 contested classes.

At 103, Tanner Bothwell pinned Reece Norton in a freshman contest. Cody Cassen decisioned Bronc Robbie Denhoff,

11-6, in another freshman contest in the 112-pound division.

Belle Fourche 119-pounder Jamin Battles took a decision from Scooper J.T. Paris, 15-2.

In the 125 pound division, Josh Keszler pinned Belle Fourche's Kurt Raber.

At 130, Scooper junior Seth Lange pinned Bronc freshman Cody Summerside.

At 135, Sturgis' Nate Wilson - and Wilson stymied Nic Herman, 16-0.

Cade Kling couldn't keep up with Scooper Rex Lyon, either, and lost a 10-0 decision.

At 145, Kyle Gremse was pinned by Kyle Kopplin.

Kale Merrel scrapped to a 9-8 decision over Scooper Drew Hunt in a match that moved slowly between two seniors closely matched in skills and determination.

At the 160-pound class, Bronc Brandon Lane lost his match to Sheldon Larson by a pin.

Bronc Ryne Baier was stockier than Scooper Clint Wilson, but couldn't get the angles together against a taller opponent to won a strong decision, 12-4.

In the first of the heavier classes, Belle Fourche's Jake Dschaak lost a heartbreaking decision to Jake Stygles, 6-4, in a match that seemed to turn one direction and then the other through near pins.

Chris Vinson took the battle of the 285-pound division from Bronc Justin Jensen with a strong 12-5 decision.

The Broncs won the 215-pound class by forfeit as Kyle Blake was unopposed at that class.

Hot Springs 63, Newcastle, Wyo., 9: Hot Springs opened the high school wrestling season with a 63-9 dual win over Newcastle, Wyo., Thursday night in Hot Springs.

The host Bison won seven of the 10 contested weight classes by pinfall.

Colter Steinmetz (119), Logan Phelps (130), Cole Romey (135), Jarred Tarrell (140), Kade Klippenstein (152), Jesse Atwood (189) and Steven Engebretson (275) all recorded pins for Hot Springs.

Earning the win by decision for the Bison was Philip Rickenbach at 125 pounds.

Newcastle's lone pin of the night came at 171 pounds, with Taylor Hespe stopping Danny O'Connor in the second period. The Dogies' Adam Himrich decisioned Derrik Walton, 13-6, at 215 pounds.

Both teams were open at 103, and the Dogies were also open at 112-, 145- and 160-pounds.