Gold Medals and Life-Changing Moments: The 2026 Montana State Wrestling Championship Recap

The mats have been rolled up at First Interstate Arena, and the Keeping Score team is back to break down an unforgettable weekend of high-stakes competition. Host Luke Schmit sits down with Daily Inter Lake sports reporter Jon Allen to review the 2026 All-Class State Wrestling Tournament in Billings, where local athletes from across the Flathead Valley left their mark on history.The conversation highlights the incredible resilience of the Flathead High girls’ team, who defied pre-tournament rankings to secure a second-place trophy. We dive into the details of Julia Kay’s dominant performance to claim her third state title and the narrow 9-8 decision that saw Taylor Lay edge out Bella Downing in their latest championship chapter. Jon explains the high-drama finish for Kohen Riley, who had to return to the mat for a final six seconds due to a rare rule change to clinch his first state victory. The episode also examines the continued dominance of the Billings West dynasty and the historic achievement of Mikhail Aguayo, who joined the elite ranks of four-time state champions. Beyond the veterans, we look at the rising stars of the sport, including eighth-grade champions Crew O’Connor and Carly Gorder, and the impressive team performance by Huntley Project in the B/C division.Stay tuned until the end as we discuss a heartwarming moment that no one had on their bingo card—a championship victory for Blaise Cronk that transitioned immediately into a surprise on-the-mat proposal.Read Jon's reporting from Billings:State wresting: Flathead’s Julia Kay adds 3rd title to resumeNorthwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support Thanks to Corwin Motors for sponsoring the Keeping Score podcast! They’re proud to be family-driven for over 100 years. Corwin’s commitment goes beyond selling cars; they’re dedicated to serving our community and providing you with the highest quality vehicles to fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re searching for reliability, style, or comfort, they’ve got you covered. If you’re in the market for a new Chevrolet or just want to learn more, visit http://corwinmotorskalispell.com.   For full coverage and the latest sports updates, visit the Daily Inter Lake at: https://dailyinterlake.com/news/sports/. Support local journalism and subscribe to us!  Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!