The rankings within this article do not necessarily reflect those done by InterMat.
The 2010-2011 wrestling season in the state of Montana was not to be soon forgotten. When the dust settled and the smoke cleared, from the Class 4 tornado that destroyed the Metra in Billings, the state's wrestling fans saw the breakup of the All-Class State Wrestling Tournament that has made the state's wrestling community a family since 1987. However, that is not to say that the state didn't enjoy one of the finest years on record in terms of overall talent. The season was one for the books. Jade Rauser of Broadwater (Class B-C) finished his high school career with a 175-0 record and set the state win record in the process. Dallen Brauer of Forsyth (Class B-C),'s quest to be a four-time champ was interrupted by Choteau's Jessie Werdahl. Brauer avenged his loss the following week by beating Werdahl, 4-1, at the Tournament of Champions, a non-sanctioned end of the year tournament held in Great Falls. Tanner Sprenkle of Billings Senior scored in the final seconds of his thriller with Great Falls High's Josh Morin to tab his fourth state title (Class AA). While in Class A, the Laurel Locomotives upset Havre for the team title.
Heading into the 2011-2012 season, the caliber of top-tier wrestling talent is as good as it has ever been in the Treasure State. Expectations on national rankings and wrestlers moving on to the college level are as sky high as the Montana clouds.
With the renovation of the Metra, the 2012 All-Class Tournament will reconvene in Billings. This year has the possibility of four wrestlers joining the elite group of four-time Montana state champions: Luke Zeige (Glasgow), Luke Schlosser (Conrad), Ben Stroh (Chinook), and Cole Mendenhall (Great Falls High).
This Top 10 represents all three of Montana's classifications (AA-A-BC). Class B-C and Class AA are well represented, with Class A having only one wrestler. All prospective wrestlers were considered based on in-state record, state championships, All-American honors on either the Cadet or Junior level, Fargo and Reno tournaments, and finally the NHSCA events in Virginia Beach.
1. Ben Stroh
High School: Chinook (Class B-C)
Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 189/215
Projected College Weight Class: 184/197
Ben Stroh (Photo/Chinook HS Yearbook Staff)2. Luke Zeiger
High School: Glasgow (Class B-C)
Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 145
Projected College Weight Class: 141
Analysis: A household name on the Montana wrestling scene since finishing his freshman campaign with a stunning state finals victory over Val Rauser (Broadwater Co./ Utah Valley), Zeiger has thrust himself into the national recruiting picture by winning the 2011 NHSCA Junior Nationals in Virginia Beach. He is known for being one of the best pinners in the state and is almost inescapable from the referee's position, when in control. Zeiger is hoping to wrestle for the University of Nebraska but also has a handful of area programs showing interest.
3. Cole Mendenhall
High School: Great Falls High (Class AA)
Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 135
Projected College Weight Class: 133/141
Analysis: One of, if not the most reliable/steady wrestlers in the state, Cole Mendenhall, with a record of 130-4, has been impressive in his campaign to be the third Great Falls Bison to win four state titles. The pedigree of the Bison program has turned out such names as Bill and Mike Zadick (Iowa), Jeff Thompson (Minnesota), and the Young brothers, Bobby, Dustin, and Jesse (Boise State).
Mendenhall's accolades include: Jug Beck Tournament champion and Outstanding Wrestler, Rocky Mountain Nationals champion, multiple-time Western Regionals champ in all styles, Big Horn Nationals champion, Reno World champion, USAW folkstyle All-American. Mendenhall has beaten many nationally-ranked wrestlers along the way, include pinning Val Rauser last year, while splitting 1-1 with him on the season. His lone loss was by only one point.
Prominent wrestling experts state that Mendenhall is a top-caliber recruit who will be an asset to whichever respective program he ends up representing at the collegiate level. His desire is to attend a Division I school that will challenge him both on the mat and in the classroom.
4. Josh Morin
High School: Great Falls High (Class AA)
Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 140
Projected College Weight Class: 133
Analysis: With physical build and manner, this product of Great Falls High's traditional in-your-face style of wrestling, Morin excelled in 2011 by beating Glasgow's Luke Zeiger and four-time state champion Tanner Sprenkle of Billings Senior, while totaling a career record of 105-11. Morin, a product of two former world championship bodybuilders, has a great work ethic that translates onto the mat. A two-time finalist, the attribute that sets him apart is his desire to always challenge the best opponents possible. Despite not possessing the accolades of some others on this list, Morin's best wrestling years seem to be in front of him. He will be a valuable college wrestler to whichever program he chooses. His accomplishments include two-time Western Regional Triple Crown winner, Rocky Mountain Nationals four-time All-American, Rocky Mountain Nationals champion, Big Horn Nationals All-American, USAW folkstyle All-American, and ranked as high as ninth in USAW Future Olympian rankings. His desire is to attend Oregon State, but listed North Dakota State, Rider, and Cal Poly as other schools of interest. Morin maintains a 3.85 GPA and is in the top ten percent of his class of 350-plus.
5. Dallen Brauer
High School: Forsyth (Class B-C)
Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 152
Projected College Weight Class: 141
Analysis: Refocused for his senior year, Brauer has put forth the type of career that undoubtedly helps him get the noticed by college coaches. With win totals hitting 40-plus last season, his only loss was a controversial one in the state finals against Jesse Werdhal of Choteau High. Brauer, however, avenged this loss the following week in the TOC, tournament held after the season to decide a true "state champion"-- due to Montana's All-Class wrestling tournament being a three-division format. With a record of 129-4, 93 of those wins coming by fall Brauer is a three-time finalist, winning two state titles. He has led his Dogie teammates to be one of the toughest teams in the tri-state area, coached by Scott Weber.
He competed at the Disney Duals and showed just how dynamic a grappler he can be, going 6-1 in the contest. University of Great Falls, Dickinson State, and various NAIA, and NCAA Division II schools are showing interest.
6. Luke Schlosser
High School: Conrad (Class B-C)
Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 130
Projected College Weight Class: 125
Analysis: Being one of the smaller guys in the room, Schlosser has the skills to beat every guy in his practice room at Conrad High School. Likewise, dominating is part of his quest to become a four-time Montana state champion. The aforementioned is expected to be the best wrestler in his weight class for another consecutive season. Projected to compete at 119 for his senior campaign, Schlosser has risen to the challenge beating Top 10 member Taylor French and honorable mention member Chris Nile. Schlosser holds a 3.3 GPA and has cued the attentions of some Ivy League schools. Interested to see what schools start calling as his technique and toughness reach new heights, this Montana champ has lots of options. University of Great Falls will no doubt be added to the list, as his older brother, Scott, a three-time state champion, competes for the Argos. Schlosser has a high school record of 101-5 and went undefeated in 2011. He also won the 2011 TOC in Great Falls.
7. Grant Boggs
High School: Helena High (Class AA)
Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 112
Projected College Weight Class: 125
Analysis: Helena High's Grant Boggs placed seventh and was one of four Montana wrestlers who earned All-American honors at the USAW Cadet Greco Roman Nationals in Fargo, N.D. At the Tournament of Champions, Boggs decisioned Karson Kukes (Laurel), 9-2, to claim the 98-pound crown. The Bengal grappler recently garnered the Class AA championship, while going an undefeated 35-0. Boggs, along with Bengal teammate Gabe Schroeck, are expected to compete at the FILA Cadet World Championships in Szombathely, Hungary this weekend. He will represent Team USA in the Greco-Roman portion of the event at 110 pounds. Boggs will no doubt have the option for college wrestling.
8. Eli Hinebaugh
High School: Havre (Class A)
Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 171
Projected College Weight Class: 157
Analysis: Despite being ranked towards the bottom of this list, this young man demonstrates well his talent on the mat. In fact, when seeking opinions from several of the states wrestling gurus, almost all of them were in universal agreement that this Blue Pony stud was one of the most dynamic wrestlers in the state. He follows the lineage of three older brothers who won at least one state title in their careers. Eli showed next-level potential late in the 2011 season by winning a state title for Havre at the Class A wrestling championship held in Butte. The following week, Hinebaugh dominated the stiff competition at the TOC. Using his unorthodox "Hinebaugh Style" will no doubt leave college scouts intrigued as they watch Hinebaugh's quest for another state title. MSU-Northern will lead the group of college interests, as his older brother won a national title for the Lights in 2011.
9. Taylor French
High School: Forsyth (Class B-C)
Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 125
Projected College Weight Class: 125
Analysis: Two-time Forsyth finalist Taylor French showed his prowess again on the mat in 2011. The Dogie grappler showed grit by winning the 2011 state title in dominant fashion. He sports a high school record of 83-5 with 60 pins and placed fifth at NHSCA Nationals in Virginia Beach this year.
10. Clay Cathey
High School: Billings Skyview (Class AA)
Projected 2010-11 High School Weight Class: 130
Projected College Weight Class: 125
Analysis: This high-flying Skyview Falcon is a tough customer. He had tremendous battles with Cole Mendenhall in 2010 and 2011, showing he is worthy of recognition on this list of Montana Elite. A three-time Class AA finalist, Cathey placed fourth at NHSCA Nationals and earned a silver medal at the Disney Duals. His Skyview team placed fourth this summer in a national dual tournament in Florida, in which he went unbeaten. Receiving some interest from several mid-major Division I programs, Cathey continues to perfect his technique under Coach Rich Malia, who has sent a solid handful of Falcons to wrestle at the Division level, most notably his own sons, Ty (Nebraska/Iowa State), Joey (Nebraska), and Bo (Oregon). Watch for Cathey's technique and aggressiveness to be much improved in 2012. So far undecided on his college choice, time will tell how this Montana wrestler's future will play out.
Honorable Mention:
Bryce Weatherston (Belgrade)
Teague Jones (Harlem)
Chris Nile (Forsyth)
Brandon Weber (Forsyth)
Ben Sulser (Billings Senior)
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now