Katie Dolence a standout at Nationals

Katie Dolence, a wrestler from Ronan, embarked on an unforgettable journey at the Adidas Nationals, held April 6-8 in Independence, Mo. Wrestlers from across the nation gathered at the event, which proved to be an exhilarating challenge for Dolence as she tested her mettle against formidable opponents.

Coming off a strenuous week at a wrestling tournament in Reno, Dolence joined the Billings Senior AA club for the prestigious dual-team competition. She was initially apprehensive, surrounded by unfamiliar faces – coaches she had never spoken to and fellow wrestlers she had never interacted with. Nerves coursed through her veins as she grappled with the fear of the unknown.

However, Dolence quickly found solace in the intense wrestling. While experiencing the unique demands of freestyle wrestling for the first time, she showcased her potential by securing an impressive 5-1 record – an admirable achievement considering it was her inaugural venture into that style.

With the duals behind her, Dolence prepared herself for the tournament's second day, a test of endurance and versatility. She seamlessly transitioned between freestyle and folk-style matches throughout the day, engaging in an exhausting sequence of back-to-back bouts.

Dolence's journey through the freestyle bracket was not without its challenges. She had to summon her courage and tenacity to compete against talented wrestlers from various states across the country, many of whom boasted more extensive freestyle experience. Undeterred, Dolence secured a hard-fought victory in her first freestyle match. Despite subsequently facing three losses, she claimed an impressive eighth place overall.

Dolence advanced to the finals in the freestyle category – an achievement that set her club apart from the competition.

"They got me a real nice singlet to walk out on the finals parade, and that was a really cool memory," she said.

For Dolence, wrestling is not merely a high school endeavor; it has been an integral part of her life since her early years. She participated in little guy and elementary wrestling and progressed to Ronan's club wrestling program.

Dolence explains that wrestling gives her a sense of purpose, driving her to improve and strive for greatness continually.

"You're working for something you want to be better at," she said.

Before the Adidas Nationals, Dolence made her mark at the Reno Worlds Tournament, where she impressively clinched fifth place among the 15 Montana representatives. Her determination and skill were on full display. Following a short break after high school competitions, she also competed Montana Open in Billings, securing an admirable second-place finish.

As Dolence looks ahead to her senior year, she approaches it with a strong sense of ambition. Having consistently placed at state-level tournaments in previous years, Dolence sets her sights on further accomplishments and hopes to exceed her expectations.

While Dolence's achievements shine brightly, she remains humbled by the many talented wrestlers from Ronan. Among them is Bryn Courville, who currently stands as one of the most accomplished wrestlers in the region. Dolence acknowledges the impressive talent that emerges from her hometown, inspiring her to push herself even further.

"I'm not the only one. There are a lot of Ronan that people don't notice – people that go out to these big tournaments and place at them," Dolence said.