The dust settled one week ago on the All-Class state wrestling tournament down in Billings. Of note, Chinook had one state champion in Grace Buck, who won the girls’ title at 105 pounds. She got her flowers all season long from head coach Ben Stroh, but he had some extra bloom as he discussed his only champion of 2025.
“We’ve had faith in her and her ability to do that all year and the last couple of years,” Stroh said. “She’s been rock solid for us and a great leader, does her thing, and stays true to the course.”
“(She) believes in what we say and has bought in to everything we’ve done,” Stroh continued. “She wrestled a perfect tournament.”
“(She is an) example for the rest of the team (in) what we’re trying to do with our mental game and our ability to wrestle in high stress situations,” Stroh said.
He also took the time to compliment the rest of the squad. Despite not getting everyone to the championship, Stroh said that having this full of a team meant so much to him, especially being a former Sugarbeeter wrestler himself.
“The rest of the team, the big thing (would be) seeing the building, the experience, it was a heck of an experience now with a three-day tournament,” Stroh said.
“Pretty much everybody made it all three days,” Stroh continued. “We had a rough round there Saturday morning, but they know what they’re working for.”
“It doesn’t seem like an unattainable goal anymore knowing they were that close,” Stroh said. “Just a couple more different changes in their games (and) they’ll be able to accomplish their end goal and check that off their list.”
This Chinook wrestling team provided great moments throughout the course of the 2024-25 season, whether it was having its mainstays reach their destiny or seeing up-and-comers knock off the higher seeds during multiple competitions. Stroh put a bow on his Sugarbeeters on the mat following the conclusion of this campaign.
“That experience in knowing how close they are to getting on that podium is everyone’s goal,” Stroh said. “After checking gear back in and talking to the kids, that’s what I told them.”
“‘We need to get a little bit tougher mentally,'” Stroh continued. “‘Your wrestling game this there, guys.'”
“I’m excited to see how they come in with high spirits and see what kind of summer work they want to put in,” Stroh said.
