Paul McDonald, TR News/Sports – One of the more decorated career’s in Valley City Hi-Liner wrestling came to a victorious conclusion at the State Wrestling tournament at the Fargodome. Valley City’s Koltyn Grebel defeated Noah Sauvageau of Fargo Davies by tech fall, 16-0 in the finals at 139 to earn his third state championship of his career.

It was the fourth straight state finals for Grebel who ends the season with a 45-1 record. After the tournament, Grebel was named Senior Athlete of the Year. He is the third Hi-Liner to be named Mr. Wrestler joining brother Koye in 2023 and Jason Sjostrom in 1990. He finishes his Hi-Liner career with a very impressive resume. He pinned or won by tech fall against all North Dakota opponents except one this season. His career record is 218-29 with a win percentage of 88 percent which is a school record. His 218 wins is second only to Parker Larson (238) in school history. He is 177-9 since the beginning of his freshman year. He has lost three matches to North Dakota opponents over the last four years. He has 145 career pins. He has 23 career individual tournament championships which is a school record and he is six time Academic All-State Wrestler. He is committed to wrestle at the University of Mary in Bismarck.

It was the fourth meeting if the season between Grebel and Sauvageau. Koltyn won all four.  One by a pin, three by tech falls.

The Hi-Liner boys had two other wrestlers place at the tournament. 

Ryer Muske was 4-2 and placed 5th at 189. He defeated Evan Berg of Minot by tech fall, 21-3, in the fifth place match. The junior was 34-10 this season.

Owen Hunt was 3-2 and placed seventh at 285. He defeated Easton Egeberg of Bismarck by fall in 4:46 in the seventh place match. The freshman was 28-17 this season for the Hi-Liners.

As a team, the Hi-Liners finished in 13th place with 54.5 points. The Hi-Liners had five make Academic All-State as well. Koltyn Grebel, Owen Hunt, Ryer Muske, Simon Trapp and Hunter Undem.

The Hi-Liner girls also placed three wrestlers on the podium at the state tournament.

Victoria Sanchez was 3-2 and placed fourth at 118. She lost to Alyssa Nitschke of South Border by fall in 4:40 in the third place match. The senior ends the season with a 29-11 record. This was her third year wrestling and she qualified for state all three seasons, placing in the last two. She ends her career with 70 wins in about 2 1/2 seasons. She joined midway through her sophomore year.

Deegan Kirschenmann was 4-2 and placed 5th at 130. She defeated Haleigh Carr of Minot 3-1 in the fifth place match. The junior ends the season with a 38-13 record. She has 115 career wins, most in school history. This was her fourth state tournament appearance and the third time she has placed.

Mylee Christianson was 3-2 at 142 and place fourth. She was defeated by Brynlee Hartsoch of West Fargo 3-1 in the third place match. The junior ends the season with a 36-6 record. She has 114 career wins, second only to Deegan Kirschenmann in school history. This was her fourth state tournament appearance and placed in all four with one state championship in 2023 as a freshman.