Highlanders Rise to the Occasion at Montana Open

The most prestigious tournament in our home state is the Montana Open at the Billings Metra! GWC brought the 6th largest team to the event this year with 55 wrestlers. It was a total team effort to put up 221 points and finish in 13th place overall out of 195 clubs in attendance. The Highlanders were 3rd place amongst Class B/C feeder programs.

Leading the way were four Individual Champions and four runner-ups! TenLea Sundeen, Ryan Gamas, Aurora Markle, and Walker Kirkland would each collect a tournament title and WIN the coveted “Skull”. 31 out of 55 wrestlers reached the podium with a Top 6 finish. The 4 champions and 31 individual placers both make up the 2nd most in club history at the premier event.

The Open signals the end of the season for the majority of the Club. The Highlanders, however, will send a smaller contingent to Black Hills Nationals in Spearfish, South Dakota this coming Friday and Saturday. Seven Highlanders will also join Team Montana and head the AAU National Duals in Des Moines, Iowa the first weekend in April.

Montana Open Individual Results:

6U

Brands Casterline 4th

Theo Marks 6th

Nels Redfield

Newt Knaff 3rd

Aurora Markle 1st

Saylor Thompson

Brenley Flaten 6th

8U

Howard Redfield

Dayton Markle

Rowen Thompson

Ledger Kaufman

CJ Sillerud

Colt Knaff 5th

Buddy Cole

Olive Marks 6th

Archer Henry

Taryn Sundeen 4th

Collins Flaten 5th

Rygan Gamas **Champion**

10U

Tate Lehner 2nd

Jett Morehouse 4th

Walker Kirkland **Champion**

Whit Ozark

Milo Marks

Eli Holinde

Knoxsen Harris

Carson Young 6th

TenLea Sundeen **Champion**

Kennedy Flaten 2nd

Lyla Lehner 4th

Harlee Vandermars 3rd

Khloe Kaufman 2nd

12U

Anders Aune

Hunter Pierce 5th

Taden Sundeen 5th

Saunten Gamas 4th

Leo Erickson 3rd

Addison Hughes 5th

Aubree Holinde 4th

15U

Aiden Aune 3rd

Jack Morehouse

Weston Kirkland

Tyler King

DC Flaten

Alex Earll

Kylie Aho

Riley Pedersen

Bailey Dooley

Chloe Lamb

Madison Lamb 3rd

18U

Khye Gamas 3rd

William Kirkland 4th

Michael King 4th

Ernie Vandall

Avery Pedersen 5th

Greybull, Wyoming

Invitational Results:

Duncan Markle 1st