FORSYTH — Forsyth has hosted some of Montana’s best high school wrestlers in recent years.
On Thursday, Forsyth High School will host some of the nation’s best college wrestlers. Minot State and Montana State-Northern will meet in Forsyth for a dual on Thursday. The doors open at 6 p.m., and the 165 pounders will start the wrestling at 7 p.m.
“We’re excited about that coming into town,” said Forsyth athletic director Craig Knoche. “This is the first year we’ve done it, because three of the seniors are Forsyth alums — two Webers and a Nile.”
Chris Nile, Brandon Weber and Matt Weber helped Forsyth to Class B state team titles in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Brandon Weber and Nile graduated in 2014, Brandon as a three-time state champion with 200 career wins and Nile as a two-time state champion with 195 career wins. Matt Weber graduated in 2015 as a four-time state champion.
The Weber brothers are now seniors on the Montana State-Northern wrestling team, where Matt Weber is the NAIA’s top-ranked wrestler at 141 pounds. Brandon Weber and Nile, a redshirt junior, are ranked second at 157 and 174 pounds, respectively.
The Lights are third in the team rankings. Andrew Bartel is the NAIA’s fifth-ranked wrestler at 165 pounds, and Isaac Bartel is the No. 2 wrestler at 197.
“Having them kind of showcase their program, I think the biggest push was just that they were all seniors,” Knoche said. “They’ll start with the 165 pounders, so that Brandon will be the last match of the whole event.”
Thursday’s event will serve as a precursor for many high school wrestlers in the area. The Forsyth High School team will be among those traveling to Miles City for the 61st annual Cowboy Wrestling Invitational on Friday and Saturday. Knoche said high school teams from Colstrip, Huntley Project, Circle and possibly Shepherd, among others, will be in attendance for Thursday’s dual.
“The school’s just a site,” Knoche said. “We wanted to do it for the kids and show a lot of locals.”
