The 2023-2024 wrestling season came to an end this past weekend. 12 wrestlers represented Blaine County, seven from Chinook and five from Harlem. Of the 12 that went, five found the podium on the big stage.

On the boys side for Chinook freshman Walter Schoen found the podium finishing fourth in the 160 pound weight class. Schoen made it to the third place match where he lost by major decision to Glasgow's William Kirkland, 14-6. And for the Harlem boys, senior Leon champagne finished eighth. Champagne went two and two on the weekend falling in the consolation round 3 to Choteau's Nathan Gunderson, by fall in a time of 3:48. Champagne finished his season with an overall record of 30-16.

On the girls side for Harlem senior Kaitlyn Johnson finished fifth in the 132 pound weight class. Johnson went 4-2 on the weekend making it to the fifth place match where she won by fall over Frenchtown's Rebel Montanez, taking down her opponent in a time of 4:59 seconds. Johnson finished the season with a record of 42-13.

Coach Baker was very proud of his wrestlers at the State Tourament. "State Tournament brought the fight we expected. Every wrestler came with a positive mindset and burning desire to do their best in the arena. No fear and no regrets. This tournament humbles many in the end all the way to the championship round. Kaitlyn Johnson finishing fifth making her a two time placer at the all-class level state tournament in girls, was the cherry on top and the answer to her question she asked me in eight grade. "Do you think I'd be any good at wrestling?" Both Seniors Leon Champagne and Kaitlyn Johnson advanced into the second day of wrestling that morning feeling very accomplished. Leon ended up top 8 for the weekend."

"I was proud to see the mental toughness sharpened to the point it was as the season ended. We are still very young and even hungrier for next year. We had many ups and downs this season navigating the bumps and curves of this journey, but I didn't see anybody quit out there. I am proud to call myself the coach of these amazing young humans! It stokes the fire in me to do more to develop the upcoming talent. Summer programs and camps are going to be our game plan in the off season. Keeping our minds as well as fitness up throughout to prepare for the next battles to come. To all the Harlem wrestlers, you did it! The victories and struggles were yours to yield and overcome! Thank you to those community members that supported us and thank you to my assistant coaches for their hard work and dedication to the team. Coach Faulk finished his final season as an asst. wrestling coach,this weekend and I'd like to give him a special thank you for his ongoing contributions to the sport. It's been an experience to work with him and that vast library of knowledge in his head has been valuable to us all. I am pumped for next season and I hope to bring in many more champions next year!"

For Chinook, junior Grace Buck and sophomore Emma Klingaman both brought home hardware. Buck finished fourth in the 107 pound weight class going 4-2 on the weekend. Making it to the third place match Buck fell to Glaciers Brooke Yeadon in a time of 2:55. Buck finished the season with a record of 36 and 11.

Klingaman found plenty of success over the weekend as well finishing 3rd in the 126 pound weight class. Klingaman went 6-1 over the weekend making it to the 3rd place match where she won by decision over Butte's Sophie Grunhuvd, 2-1. Klingaman finished the season with an impressive 48-10 record.

Coach Stroh was also proud of how his team represented at the State Tournament."The 7 we took to state wrestled phenomenal. As a whole I couldn't be more happy with how they handled the stress of the big stage and showed up to put on a show for the fans. We didn't win every match by any means this weekend, but our opponents all knew they were in a battle when they wrestled a beeter. Our 3 wrestlers that placed really showed a lot of poise on the mat, even with none of them being seniors they acted like it this weekend."

To seniors Kaitlyn and Leon, the journal would like to say, "congratulations on your high school careers. We've enjoyed following you over the last 4 years." To the rest of our Blaine County Wrestlers, "congrats on a successful season and we look forward to following you again next year."