Wolves finish second: Rogers, Wagner, and Kamps win state titles

After a 30-plus year hiatus, the Three Forks High School Wrestling returned to the mat for the 2017-18 season. Six years later, the squad has become one of the top programs in the Treasure State. The meteoric rise was in full force last week, with the Wolves finishing in second place as a team with three individual state champions at the State Tournament in Billings.

Three Forks finished second in Class B with 154.5 points, only behind consecutive state champion Huntley Project with 201. Lincoln County finished in third with 122 points, Jefferson was fourth with 101, and Cut Bank was fifth with 95.

Junior Cole Rogers won a second consecutive state title, bringing home a title at 120 pounds. Senior Levi Wagner captured a state title at 138 pounds, and senior Dylan Kamps won the 145-pound state title.

Senior Brayden Linville finished second at 113 pounds, and freshman Brummie Boggus was third at 103 pounds. Eighth-grader Mathias Hogue was fifth at 126 pounds, and senior Chase Kirkland finished fifth at 132 pounds.

On his way to a second straight state title, Rogers opened with a pin over Leighton LaFromboise of Jefferson at 1:04, and a pin at Jon Post of Florence-Carlton at the 5:53 mark.

Rogers said he felt good coming into the weekend.

"I knew I had put in the work and that as long as I executed the plan, I would end up on top," he said.

Things would change for Rogers two wins into the tournament.

"I felt great until my semifinal match, where I heard a loud pop from my knee. Immediately I thought my season was over, and I didn't think I would be able to compete at a high level," he said.

The 2022 state champ responded emphatically.

Despite the injury, Rogers came away with a 9-5 semifinal win over Payne Reilly of Forsyth. He captured the state title with a 10-7 win over Gavin Nedens of Huntley Project.

"Doubt started to kick in, but I knew if I believed I could win, I could pull it off. So, as I was pacing along the side of the mat, I started to not only believe but know that I was going to win, and that mentality got me through and put me on top," he said.

Rogers also gave a shout out to all those who helped him in his journey to the second straight title.

"I'd just like to say thanks to all my family and friends for the prayers for my knee, it worked and I'm so grateful for that. I'd also like to thank my parents, coaches, practice partners, and friends for everything they have done for me," he said.

It was another incredible weekend for Wagner, who advanced to the semifinals at 138 pounds with a pin at 3:41 over Michael McCarty of Big Fork and a 20-4 technical fall over Tegan McDonald of Columbus. Wagner advanced to the finals with a 14-4 major decision win over Hayden Ramaeker of Huntley Project. Wagner ended his Wolves career in style with a pin in the finals at the 4:43 mark over Alex Wahl of Cut Bank.

To Wagner, the feeling of winning a state title was unexplainable.

"It felt like nothing I've ever experienced before," he said.

Wagner also gave credit to those who helped him out along the way.

"I want to thank my family for always being there for me and doing anything to help me succeed. A big shout out to my coaches and teammates for helping me throughout my time at Three Forks," Wagner said. "The love has been crazy, and I wouldn't have been able to do it without all of you. Much appreciation."

It was another phenomenal weekend for Kamps, who advanced to the finals with a pin at 3:23 over Koale Medicine Bull of Lincoln County, a pin over at 3:49 over Kane Snider of Chinook, and a 5-2 semifinal victory over Tucker Kaczmarek of Huntley Project. Kamps brought home the state title with a 15-4 major decision win over Kanon Branch of Cut Bank.

Kamps said ending his high school career with a state title feels more like a fairytale than something that happened.

"I felt like crying but couldn't because I didn't have the energy to. Everything I had in me was on that mat. I want to thank the community for the growing support we have, my parents and sister for putting their lives on hold to watch me achieve my goals, my coaches for everything they do, and not just the ones who put on a nice shirt and tie-on Saturday night and sit in my corner but every coach that has helped me get to where I'm at right now," said Kamps. "Lastly, I want to thank my team. You boys are a true brotherhood. I love each and every one of you. Keep being yourselves and keep grinding. My senior teammates, I wish you all the best in whatever path you take. Thank you, Three Forks wrestling."

Linville ended a storied three-year career with the Wolves with two state titles and a second-place finish at last week's state tournament. He advanced to the finals with an 18-second pin over Reece Hammond of Simms, a pin at the five-minute mark over Bridger Molenda of Cut Bank, and an 8-6 semifinal win over Trevor O'Hara of Fort Benton. Linville fell 5-2 in the finals to Timothy Schmidt of Lincoln County.

Boggus ended a fantastic first season with the program with a third-place finish at state. He started the tournament with a pin in 30 seconds over Tyrus Reimer of Fort Benton and advanced to the semifinals with a 13-2 majority decision win over Cody Kuka of Glasgow. After falling 7-4 in the semis to Quinn Rodewald of Big Sandy, Boggus won 12-5 over Trey Starcher of Forsyth and captured third with a 10-2 majority decision win over Richard Schmidt of Cut Bank.

Hogue brought home a medal at his first state tournament, winning four matches on his way to a fifth-place finish at 126 pounds. He opened the tournament with a pin at 3:46 over Wyatt Hood of Columbus. After falling 7-6 in the quarterfinals to Navarjo Escarcega of Poplar, Hogue responded with a pin at 1:23 over Evan Flores of Shelby and a 4-2 win over Jacob Schulze of Plains. In his next match, Hogue lost in sudden victory to Logan VanDyke of Conrad but would end the tournament in style with a 6-2 win over Derek Lachenmeier of Huntley Project to capture fifth place.

Kirkland ended his Wolves career with a fifth-place medal at 132 pounds. Kirkland advanced to the semifinals with an 18-5 major decision win over Josh Lambertson of Lincoln County and an 8-7 victory over Ty Borge of Colstrip. After two tough one-point decision losses, Kirkland earned a medal and fifth-place finish with a pin at 2:43 over Stran Lytton of Red Lodge.

Gabe Hungerford picked up two wins for the Wolves at 145 pounds. Hungerford opened the tournament with a 6-4 victory over Jack Cornwell of Glasgow. After losing 13-8 in the quarterfinals to Tyler Niles of Shepherd, Hungerford won by fall over Wesley Biggers of Whitehall at 4:16.

Logan Douma picked up a win for the Wolves at 120 pounds with a pin at 3:49 over Tash Murray of Florence-Carlton.

Competing at his first state tournament, Josiah Gonzalez picked up a win for Three Forks at 285 pounds with a 2-1 victory over Hunter Walsh of Roundup.