Going for three, with no regrets

There will be a lot of great wrestlers at the Metra in Billings this weekend for the All-Class state wrestling tournament, and one of the best is unboundedly Tate Niederegger.

Niederegger, the Chinook wrestling standout, has put together a spectacular career for the Sugarbeeters. In three appearances at the Class B-C state tournament, he has reached finals night three times, winning two state championships and finishing once as a runner-up.

Over the course of his career, Niederegger has also been a vital part of two state championship teams, as both of his individual titles in 2015 and 2016 were made even sweeter with team titles won the same year.

And now, in his final go-around at state wrestling, he has the chance to add to his legacy even more.

“I am excited,” Niederegger said about his last opportunity at state. “I will be glad once it’s over, and hopefully I can end my wrestling career in a good way.”

Winning at the state tournament is always a challenge. But last year, after the passing of teammate Jesse Dannels, who died just days before the 2016 state meet, Niederegger had to wrestle with a heavy heart, which miraculously, he and his teammates were able to overcome.

With his emotions on his sleeve, he steamrolled the competition, winning all four of his matches by decision: 9-1, 10-4, 7-3 and 7-0.

Those wins were special for Niederegger not just because he won, but because he was able to win for his late friend. Now, one year later, he said Jesse is still in this thoughts.

“It’s been on my mind. I just haven’t been relating it to wrestling a whole lot,” Niederegger said. “I am trying to focus more on myself and getting ready for my last state tournament.”

His victory last February followed a performance in 2015 that saw Niederegger win three matches by decision and another by technical fall. In all, he outscored his opponents 38-12 to four matches, as he was able to earn some redemption for his defeat in the 2014 finals, the one match that stood between the Chinook senior and a shot at being a four-time state champion.

“I have thought about that quite a bit,” Niederegger said about having the chance to go for a fourth title this weekend, instead of a third.

As a freshman, wrestling at 120 pounds, Niederegger rolled into the finals, winning by pin (1:01), major decision (17-8) and then by way of a 3-2 decision over Zack Durden of Eureka. That set up a showdown between Niederegger and Gage Currier of Colstrip.

Currier was one of the best wrestlers in the state, regardless of weight class. He was also going for third individual championship and in the end, he won by tech fall 16-0, giving Niederegger his only blemish on an otherwise perfect record at the All-Class state tournament.

“When I was a freshman, I had wrestled at the Metra before,” Niederegger said. “But wrestling at the All-Class state championship is a little different than any other tournament that I’ve done. As far as wrestling skill, I think I definitely had the opportunity to beat him, but my nerves just kicked in and I ended up going against a three-time state champ. I have thought about the possibility of winning, but there’s nothing you can do about it. It would have beeen nice to have the opportunity though, to get a fourth one.”

Yet, even though Niederegger won’t have the chance to join the exclusive club of four-time champions, which currently includes just 27 members, he will have the chance to become a three-time champion, a historical feat in its own right.

Despite the storied history of the Chinook program, which is fourth all time in the MHSA with nine state championships dating back to 1981, Ben Stroh, a four-time champion and Robert Stroh, a three-time champion, are the only Beeters to have won more than two individual championships. Thus, with four wins this weekend, Niederegger will solidify his place in Chinook history.

“It would be awesome,” Niederegger said. “I am sure the coaches would love it, too. It helps solidify a legacy and they will be able to reference the greats of Chinook, and I hope I am able to prove that I am one of them.”

While Niederegger has excelled on the state-tournament stage at the Metra in Billings he’s won just about everywhere else too. As a sophomore, he put together an impressive 51-4 mark and backed that up with a 51-0 record as a junior. This past season, the 145-pounder has suffered a few setbacks, including one to three-time individual champion Parker Filius from Havre, but regardless of that, Niederegger is good as ever.

“He’s a great wrestler,” Filius said. “He’s a tough kid.”

Niederegger is tough, there is no disputing that fact. There’s also no disputing his greatness. However, it’s hard to say it will be enough to carry Chinook to a third-consecutive team championship. When the MHSA brackets were released earlier this week, the only other Beeter listed was freshman J.T. Hauer, who will wrestle at 132 pounds. That means only he and Niederegger will be able to rack up points.

“With two wrestlers there is a great chance to take top 3,” Niederegger said. “And a little bit slimmer, but it’s feasible for us to get to first.”

With pins, major decisions, tech falls, victories and advancement points, Niederegger should score plenty for Chinook over two days, but only time will tell if it will be enough to capture a trophy for the team, which would be just another substantial achievement in a career filled with accomplishments.

“If I pinned my way through, which, ya know, isn’t very realistic,” Niederegger said. “I could probably single-handedly win it. But I am really hoping that J.T. does well.”

It may seem far-fetched, but with Niederegger’s immense talent, nothing seems impossible and if he gets a little luck to go his way, the Chinook great might have a team trophy to carry home, along with what is expected to be, a third individual state championship.

“That would be awesome,” he said. “That would be a great way to end my career.”