Cronk wins state wrestling title at 165, gets engaged about a minute after win

Columbia Falls senior wrestler Blaise Cronk capped his stellar high school career by claiming the 165-pound state championship at the state wrestling meet in Billings Saturday.  His final match against Trystan Knight from Billings Central/Joliet went the distance, with Cronk securing a 4-2 decision for the title.

That’s an unforgettable moment for any wrestler, but Cronk made it all the more unforgettable as he proposed to his girlfriend, Marissa Schaeffer as well. 

He asked her to marry him about a minute after the win. The couple has been dating for two years now and manager Gavin Ridenour held the ring through the match until Cronk was ready to pop the question. In classic fashion, Cronk got down on one knee on the mat and made the proposal to the excitement of the crowd.

She said yes. 

Schaeffer graduated last year and is studying to be a surgical technician at Flathead Valley Community College. She was a standout runner for the Wildkat cross country and track squads.

She is the daughter of boys’ head coach Jessie Schaeffer and the video of the proposal was a hit on the website FloWrestling, with more than 40,000 views.

Cronk said he’s going to take a gap year and then consider enlisting in the Air Force or possibly go to the Air Force Academy to become a helicopter pilot. His older brother graduated from the Academy, he noted, and is now a second lieutenant.

But right now Cronk’s just savoring the season. He went 51-2 overall and was 137-17 over his high school career. He also broke several school records.

“Blaise had a stellar career as a Wildcat wrestler.  This season was no exception, not only did he break the school record for pins, but he also broke the near fall record, the takedown percentage record, and became only a handful of wrestlers in our school’s history to be a four-time state placer with a state title.  He is a hardworking, disciplined young man and to see him reach his goal, smiling on the top of podium, made it oh so much sweeter,” coach Jessie Schaeffer said.

The boys’ team finished with a total of 68 points, earning an 11th place in the standing overall.  The girls would finish with 11 points total.

Another standout senior Bradley Beck (132 lbs.) also found himself on the podium, finishing fourth.  Beck battled through the blood rounds, including a win over teammate Kolbe Cronk, before facing Luc Cheff from Ronan and concluding his run with a 12-6 loss.  

Coach Schaeffer noted Beck’s perseverance,

“Beck had one of those up and down seasons.  As a coach, you knew he was capable but wasn’t really sure of his mindset each time he stepped on the mat.  I couldn’t be more proud of him, his state tournament and how mentally prepared he was.”

As for those that competed in the blood rounds, Kale Schaeffer, 150 pounds, fell 12-6 to Johnny Foster (Billings Central/Joliet), while Blander Christianson, 103 pounds, ended his season with a 10-3 loss to Caleb Weldon (Frenchtown).  

“Unfortunately, our underclassmen didn’t have the state tournament they had hoped for and listening to them, I believe their experience in Billings will not be the same in years to come.  The atmosphere and pressure of the big stage can be overwhelming, but the reality of it is, it’s still just wrestling and these young men have proved over the season they can wrestle,” Schaeffer said of his underclassmen.

The girls’ team wrapped up their season with a total of 11 points, though none advanced to the consolation or championship rounds.  Alayah Stevens, 140 pounds, secured two victories, while Hailey Littlefield earned one win in her weight class.  Emerence Beck, 140 pounds, finished with records of 2-2 and 0-2, respectively.  Ella Timlick, 145 pounds, posted a 0-2 record, and Littlefield, at 235 concluded with a 1-2 mark.  

Head coach Ben Schaeffer was pleased with the effort.

“We wrestled right where we expected to.  We were going in for the experience with hopes of carrying it into next season.  The goal of each girl winning a match was missed, but Hailey and Alayah were able to get their hands raised on the Metra floor.”

 “As for the season, we a saw a lot of growth in all ladies.  Not only in abilities as it pertains to wrestling, but character in all aspects of them.  I’m proud of the team this group is building,” Schaeffer added.

Chris Peterson contributed to this story.