Kari Gibb/MDN Bishop Ryan senior wrestler Drew Zwak was named the Northwest Conference Senior Athlete of the Year for the 2024-2025 season.

After competing in regionals for the Northwest Conference (NWC) many wrestlers were given the opportunity to be awarded all conference or senior athlete of the year. The NWC Senior Athlete of the Year belongs to Drew Zwak from Bishop Ryan.

Zwak has accomplished many things in his wrestling career including bringing home a third place finish at the state championship this year and collecting over 200 career wins. Zwak has been an incredible athlete for the Lions throughout his high school career and will be continuing his education and sports endeavors at Minot State University (MSU).

Zwak was named all conference along with several other of his Lion teammates. Cade Okeson weighed in at 285 lbs and Peyton Seay at 114. Bishop Ryan also had one athlete named for an honorable mention, Zachary Spain at 139.

The NWC coach of the year was awarded to Wade Skar, the Stanley boys wrestling coach. Coach Skar pushed all his athletes to do their best and helped four Stanley wrestlers earn All Conference titles. Cohen Bell at 127 lbs., Trey Bohmbach at 189, Griffin Wilhelmi at 215 and Levi Uran at 285.

Velva ended the NWC Tournament with nine wrestlers claiming all conference. Starting at 107 with Isaiah Hackman. Pitch Hager at 121 and Lucas Soli at 127 were named All Conference. Brextyn Yanish at 139, Carson Hildre at 145, Raider Barstad at 152, Maddox Cambell at 160, Madden Barstad at 172 and Noah Werner at 189.

Williams county brought home All Conference titles for seven athletes. Tristan Miller at 114, Kash Brown at 145, Jeremiah Schmidt at 152, Rocker Aguliar at 172, Ashton Weathersby at 189 and Matthew Jacobs at 285 all were title All Conference for Williams County. Levi Jensson at 133 was an honorable mention for Williams County.

Des Lacs-Burlington (DLB), Velva, and Kenmare/Bowbell/Burke Central (KBBC) each had four athletes named for All Conference with Mondak Thunder having one athlete named. At 107 DLB’s Tucker Miller. Cole Morgan at 121 and Connor Melin at 127 both KBBC athletes were named All Conference.

At 133 Mondak Thunder’s Victor Christian collected his team’s only All Conference Title. Velva’s Brextyn Yanish at 139. At 145 DLB’s Breyden Buee, KBBC’s William Cook and Velva’s Carson Hildre. 152 belonged to Jeremiah Schmidt from William County, followed by Lincoln Spear at 160 for KBBC and Maddox Campbell for Velva. DLB’s Kenny Smith and Velva’s Noah Werner were titled at 189. John Smith at 215 was named All Conference for DLB.

The girls who competed and were named NW Western Dakota Association (WDA) All Conference were primarily from Des Lacs-Burlington or Kenmare/Bowbells/Burke Central.

Taley Michel at 106 and Tenley Michel at 124 were the first athletes given the All Conference title for KBBC. Amaya Baptiste at 142 brought home one more title for KBBC. At 170 Tagen Thornton was given an honorable mention.

DLB had four girls named all conference. Kashtyn Bredahl at 130, Deysi Krisher at 155, Victoria Pasterz at 170 and Kale Krisher at 190.

Williams County’s Jazmine Lindburg was titled All Conference at 148 with teammate Annalesia Bishop named honorable mention at 130.

Mondak had one athlete collect a title at the NW WDA tournament. Lilli Bloom at 155 earned honorable mention.