The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

The Chinook Sugarbeeters are once again home to a Montana Class B/C State Wrestling Champion. Junior Tyler Schoen claimed the B/C 170 pound championship Saturday night in Billings.

Schoen went 4-0 in Billings winning his first match by pinfall Friday morning and concluding his tournament with a thrilling 7-2 Decision in the title match.

The Sugarbeeters also received a stellar performance from sophomore Ryley Hofeldt who finished the All-Class Montana State Girls Wrestling Tournament with a 3-2 record.

The Sugarbeeters were also represented on the mat by senior Wyatt Dunbar, senior Shay Hauer, junior Lane Snider and freshman Grace Buck.

The Harlem Lady Cat Wrestling team took four wrestlers to Billings with junior Amelia Blackcrow leading the way with a 3-2 record. Sophomore Kaitlyn Johnson (1-2) along with freshman Izzy Baker and Ihte Stiffarm also represented the Lady Cats.

The Wildcat contingent consisted of seniors Darrius Longknife and Mike King as well as junior Landen Grey.

Chinook Head Coach Ben Stroh was pleased with the overall effort his team put forth, "Overall we had our ups and downs this weekend. As a team we felt the highest highs as well as the lowest lows. However, that is why we all gather to compete and find out who is best on a special weekend."

Once a tournament or game starts, doesn't matter the sport, adjustments need to be made, "Sometimes matches are lost that should not be or even possibly the near impossible is accomplished. That is the nature of any competition no matter the sport, and that is why it is so exhilarating to watch for the fans," said Stroh. "That is what the Chinook Wrestling team experienced this weekend, and that is what I mean by the highest highs and the lowest lows. Believe me when I say us three coaches lived each moment with each individual wrestler."

Stroh and the team helped their state champion prepare for the title match, "We all had our own things to say to Tyler before the finals, some was strategy, but mostly it was just to remind him to be himself. We simply reminded him that this is what he has worked for years for and that he deserves it. However, nothing we said seemed to matter. Tyler knew what he wanted and he was ready to go out to earn his spot on top of that podium."

Schoen began the season wrestling at 182 pounds, "I wrestled the first three tournaments at that weight and placed third in two of them, after listening to some advice from the coaches I decided to make the cut to 170," said Schoen.

Following a great showing at the CMR Holiday Classic, Schoen was convinced of the decision, "This tournament showed me that I could do well in this weight class. After that tournament we stopped focusing on learning so much technique and learned how to execute moves."

Schoen then finished 2nd in Cut Bank losing only to the Class A State Champion. After competing so well in these two tournaments Schoen's confidence was building, "I realized I could compete with the top wrestlers in my weight. The next tournament was Choteau where I took first, and defeated some of the top competitors in my weight class."

The 'Beeters missed the Malta Invitational due to Covid, but Schoen took the advice of his coaches, "The coaches encouraged us to go for runs to make sure we stay in shape, that weekend I ran seven miles, five on Friday and two on Saturday. The next week at practice we worked harder than ever and prepared for the Divisionals."

Schoen performed very well at the Eastern B/C, "I faced off against the top two ranked wrestlers, beating one 6-0 and the other 7-4. Then it was state week where our team worked the hardest to be ready to wrestle. I knew I had a chance at winning state if I wrestled like I did at divisionals. I had already wrestled and beat everyone in my bracket, but I knew they were preparing too."

Was he nervous on the big stage in Billings, "I was nervous at first but after my first match it all went away and I just wrestled one match at a time. After I won my second match my bracket looked almost the exact same as it did at divisionals. I won my semi finals match 2-0 and then I went and relaxed for a little bit before the finals match."

That wait ended up being a bit longer than expected, "When the time for finals came up I was awake and ready, but they decided to start the finals matches at the weight 205, which made my match the second to last one. I waited for about two and a half hours to wrestle my match. It was extremely nerve racking, my hands were ice cold and I just wanted to wrestle."

Schoen started the tournament with a pin over Superior/Alberton's Chase Woodson in just :23.

Tyler is very grateful for his coaches, "My coaches Ben Stroh, Kenny Pruttis, and Robin Stroh helped me a lot this year. In my opinion I've had the best coaches in the state throughout my highschool career so far. With Perry Miller and Adam Tillman my freshman and sophomore year." Schoen added, "One thing I appreciate now but I didn't while we were doing it was the conditioning. Our team excelled in the third period because we still had energy to wrestle. My coaches made this season great by pushing us to make us better and still being able to joke with us."

Stroh is impressed all around with his state champion, "Tyler has been an amazing asset to our team this year. He does everything right and works hard each and every day not to mention that he is respectful to everybody, especially to his younger, less experienced teammates."