Keeping Score
A front-row seat to Northwest Montana high school sports, Daily Inter Lake's Keeping Score podcast keeps you up to date on Northwest Montana’s players and coaches who make it happen. Batter up for our exclusive interviews, Poster Player of the Week, and game recaps.
Explore more from the Daily Inter Lake’s podcast network! Get the latest news on the Big Sky Conference from our Big Sky Now podcast, with teams based in Montana, Washington, and Idaho. News Now covers major stories making headlines in Montana, events to check out, and breaking news for the Flathead Valley and beyond. Deep Dive brings you in-depth stories from across our area. And Side Tracks shares the stories behind Northwest Montana's local music, food, and arts culture.
Keeping Score
Gold Medals and Life-Changing Moments: The 2026 Montana State Wrestling Championship Recap
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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 resume
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