State Wrestling 2019: Hi-Line grapplers seek success at state

It's hard to argue that there is a bigger event in Montana high school sports than the All-Class state wrestling tournament which will be held once again this week inside the Rimrock Auto Arena at the Metra in Billings.

Over the years, the All-Class state tournament has been kind to local teams, as Havre and Chinook have brought home plenty of hardware over the years and after getting five wrestlers through to the state tournament again this year, Chinook will try to add another trophy to its trophy case after winning second last season.

And when the Beeters take the floor at the Metra later this weekend, they will be bringing many of the same competitors led by Rebecca Stroh, who qualified for state after a fifth-place finish at the Northern B-C Divisional. She also placed at state for Chinook last season.

In addition to Stroh, the Beeters will also send J.T. Hauer back to the state tournament at 152 pounds and also Favion Couturier at 160 pounds. The other state tournament participants for the Beeters are Ross Reed, who will wrestle at 145 pounds and Garrett Pruttis who finished fifth at divisionals.

One wrestler who competed for Chinook last season was Reubin Swenson. As a Sugarbeeter, he was able to finish third in the 205-pound weight class which was key to Chinook ending up with a trophy. This time around, Swenson will be back at state, but he will wrestle for Chester-Joplin-Inverness this week, fresh off a Northern B-C Divisional championship.

Swenson was the only CJI wrestler to qualify for state this weekend, however, he wasn't the last area wrestler to punch a ticket as four members from Fort Benton-Big Sandy advanced to state this week. The top finisher was Connor Schnabel, who third at 138 pounds. He will make a return trip to state after qualifying a season ago. Hayden Axtman, who will wrestle at 182 pounds made it after getting fourth, while Bayley Genereuex (126 pounds) and Dilon Geyer (138) both finished fifth. In the Class B ranks, Harlem also is sending John Hughes at 132 pounds.

When it comes to contenders for the Class C ranks, there will be some familiar teams in contention for hardware as Circle and Valier, two of the top three finishers from a season ago should be in contention, along with Arlee, another team has been ranked for a good portion of the season in Class C. Circle won the Class C state championship last year with 80 points compared to 43 for Chinook. Circle also has one of the top wrestlers in Class C in 103-pounder Krayle Stormer.

The All-Class state tournament begins Friday and will run thrugh Saturday night at the Metra.