Montana State Northern has been a powerhouse in NAIA wrestling ever since the early 1980's, but it was when both Montana & Montana State discontinued their collegiate programs in 1987 that the Lights became THE program in the state of Montana. The Lights have finished in the top four of the NAIA 16 times, including six team titles, four runner-up finishes, four third place finishes and two fourth place finishes. Matter of fact in the past 30 years, the Lights have only finished outside of the top 10 on five occasions. While in many ways the NAIA has grown exponentially within the past 10-15 years, Montana State Northern has been a permanent fixture for over 40 seasons. When you think NAIA wrestling, you think Montana State Northern.
The Lights lose a few really good wrestlers from last season. Nick Kunz who was a national champion in 2020 finished a disappointing one match shy of All American honors last season. I really wish he had another year of eligibility left but I'm almost positive that he does not. It should be noted that as a national champ, he never made the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) finals. Matter of fact he was 3rd in four tournaments.
Chase Short, an All American for the Lights has also graduated. What a testimony to perseverance he was last season. 5th wasn't at all where he wanted to finish in the CCC & then on top of it he loses first round at the NAIA championships. Comes all the way back to place 7th.
Then of course Isaac Bartel, an Iowa boy who I have to conclude is somewhere on the list of greatest NAIA wrestlers of all time to never win a national title. After finishing 3rd as a freshman takes three NAIA runner-up finishes. Reminds me of days of old when guys like Emmett Wilson and Turk Lords would hold their own against NCAA DI competition. Bartel was a RENO runner-up this season.
Now to take a look at the talent The Lights do have coming back this season.
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| 141 lbs Martin Wilkie |
A hometown favorite from right there in Havre, Martin Wilkie will look to win an NAIA national title this season after finishing as the runner-up last season. Only a sophomore, he also won a CCC title last season too.
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| 165 lbs Connor Harris |
Another sophomore, also from Havre, Connor Harris didn't qualify for the NAIA's last season but came very close in an extremely competitive 165 lbs bracket. He should make the dance this season.
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| 174 lbs Nakoda Siegel |
Taking 5th place All American honors last season along with making the CCC finals, junior Nakoda Siegel will look to win a conference title this season & place higher at the NAIA national tournament.
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| 174 lbs Rylin Burns |
Rylin Burns was one match shy of NAIA qualification last season. The talented sophomore from the opposite side of the state should make the tournament this season.
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| 184 lbs Carl Hanson |
Nevada native Carl Hansen has made tremendous strides thus far during his time as a Light. Only going 7-9 on the season as a freshman, he was able to turn that around into a 5th place finish & an NAIA qualification going 2-2 last year as a sophomore. Anxious to see how much more he has improved as he enters his junior season.
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