Athlete of the Week

Our KSEN/K96—Bozeman Trophy Athlete’s of the Week will take their place in history as Champions of the 1st ever All-Class Girls State Wrestling Championships.

Multi-talented athlete Skylar Connelly of Valier, a Sr. and Jr. Mariah Wahl of Cut Bank swept thru their weight classes and brought home State Champion trophies at 132 for Connelly and 138 for Wahl.

Wahl capped off a tremendous season going 13-0 against females and 14-3 against all opponents male and female. Even though the girls had their own State Tournament, they practiced and wrestled all year long as part of a single team with the same coach.

In addition to the Championship Mariah won the quick pin award with 4 straight pins in a combined time of 1:39. I asked her if she had a secret or a “go to move.”

Asked why she likes wrestling, Mariah said simply because “it’s hard,” and she agreed it challenges her. She agreed “it was really exciting and fund to be part of the 1st All-girls event. She defeated Bozeman Gallatin’s Maria Matosich in :56 in the Championship Match.

We didn’t get the chance to talk directly to Skylar prior to our announcement this week but still hope to and we know that she also thought of the event as a really “fun time.” Skylar also won the Championship by pin in 2:13 over Joli Beston of Wolf Point. She noted that she had overcome 2 ACL surgeries in the past year and a half and so to be fully healthy for the wrestling year was a blessing.

Connelly Is a talented Rodeo performer and was also our Athlete of the Week in Volleyball this past fall.

We also had nominations this week for Shelby Jr. Vivi McDermott who had a super game in Shelby’s must win over Rocky Boy. She knocked down 6-3’s and went 4-4 from the free throw line joining the 20-point club. The win sealed 3rd place for the Lady Coyotes.

Congratulations to our KSEN/K96—Bozeman Trophy Athlete’s of the Week, Jr. Mariah Wahl of Cut Bank and Sr. Skylar Connelly of Valier. The Athlete of the Week is sponsored locally by McDonald’s in Cut Bank. McDonald’s honors our Athlete’s with two free value meals each.