After wrestling up a weight class or two all season, Moose Jaw’s Devin Kiryk got back to wrestling people his own size — and beating them.
The 12-year-old Kiryk won all five of his matches to claim the Montana Freestyle Wrestling Championship in Butte in the Novice (12-and-under) 75-pound weight class.
It is Kiryk’s second Montana state championship. While he said winning in 2006 was a great feeling, this year’s title — and the way he earned it — was something special.
“I felt that I deserved it more because I worked harder the whole year,” said Kiryk. “I just kept working and working until I got it.”
Kiryk took his lumps against bigger wrestlers all year and came home with some battle scars from Butte. He ended up with a black eye and a mat burn on his forehead.
As state champion, Kiryk has qualified for the U.S. nationals from June 9-12.
For more please see Wednesday's Times-Herald
