BILLINGS- The Hellgate Knights wrestling team will see five boys and two girls compete at First Interstate Metra-Park in Billings on Feb. 9-10, representing red and gold in the first of the 2023-2024 Montana High School Association winter State competitions.
The 34th annual MHSA All-Class State Wrestling tournament will see the greatest number of Hellgate Knights in the last decade of competition. Oliver Caton (113), Max Martin (113), Edison Rosbarsky (120), Dillon Gunlock (160), and Porter Ferree (205) will suit up for the boys. Olive Hofffman (145) and Kenna Schmaus (235) will compete on the girls side.
“Being able to compete at State this year feels so good,” said Gunlock. “I didn’t compete last year which sucked and was definitely disappointing. With this being my last year to wrestle I just wanted to make the most of it, and I think I have.”
Caton placed 6th at the Western AA Divisionals to secure his spot in the 113-pound State bracket. He finished the regular season with a 5-9 varsity record and 4-7 against AA opponents. Those four AA wins featured two regular decision wins, and two wins by forfeit.
Martin placed 8th at the Western AA Divisional tournament to squeeze into the final slot in that same 113-pound bracket. He finished with a regular season 2-8 record, and one AA win by Fall in 3:08 against Helena’s David Krumbule.
Rosbarsky, Hellgate’s most resilient and rugged wrestler, placed 7th at Divisionals with a 3-2 record. The 120-pound senior finished his culminating season with an overall 13-17 record, featuring eleven AA wins. He picked up six wins by Fall, and an entertaining OT takedown win in the 2024 Garden City Dual tournament to finish his career in Zootown.
Gunlock at 160 pounds was arguably Hellgate’s most prominent wrestler all year. The technical senior captain picked up a whopping 24 varsity wins, and only six AA losses all year. The 6th ranked 160-pound wrestler in the State racked up 13 wins by Fall against AA opponents while scoring over 200 points on the season. Finally, he placed 2nd at the Western Divisional Tournament in Helena, finishing with a 3-1 report.
“My season as a whole has been something for me to remember,” said Gunlock. “I have had more success this year than I have in my entire high school career, I think this year was really good for the work to catch up to me.”
Ferree, at 205, had a breakout tournament to place in the west and secure a spot in Billings. The tough senior had a slow start to the season, but picked with every match. He finished with three varsity wins, including a win by fall before placing 6th at the State qualifying tournament.
For the girls, 145-pound freshman Olive Hoffman shows a bright future for the Lady Knights squad, as she is the only wrestler that is not in the graduating class of 2024 for Hellgate. Hoffman finished her opening year with a 10-8 record before placing second in Helena. Senior Kenna Schmaus also took second for her weight class at divisionals, and finished her senior year with seven varsity wins.
Hellgate hits the road on Thursday, Feb. 8 before the opening ceremonies commence at 9 A.M. on Feb. 9th, as wrestling is slated to begin at approximately 9:20 A.M. If you are unable to make the trip, you can catch the action on NFHS and follow along on trackwrestling.com.
