'Just get the crown:' Great Falls High's Dylan Block nearing state wrestling title

BILLINGS – Dylan Block was done.

The Great Falls High wrestler’s dream of being a multi-time state champion evaporated after a difficult 4-3 loss to Cole Graham of Helena Capital in the Class AA State Tournament quarterfinals a year ago.

“I checked out,” admitted Block.

Then assistant coach Alex Calvi offered some advice. “Just because you lost doesn’t mean you are done,” Calvi told the downcast Block.

Block mentally regrouped, won three straight matches by pin and gained a measure of revenge by defeating Graham 8-4 in the third-place match.

The likable Block returns to First Interstate Arena the last time in his high school career with some unfinished business.

“I have to keep my head on straight, focus on one goal … just get the crown,” he said.

Block carries a little more than just determination. He entered the tournament Friday with a perfect 20-0 record at160 pounds.

“It can be stressful,” said Block of taking everybody’s best match. “You are a target for a reason. You have to keep believing in yourself, keep working to what I want.”

If Block stays perfect for the weekend, it will be another goal to cross off his list.

“Number one was to go undefeated,” he said. “And to win the LeProwse (in Bozeman). To be a multi-time state champion ... That’s not going to happen, so I wanted to dominate this season.”

Dominate he did.

Aggressive on his feet -- “I like to push the pace,” he said -- Block cruised to titles at the CMR Holiday Classic in December and added the Tom LeProwse Tournament title in January. He was hoping to win the Jug Beck in Missoula but inclement weather scuttled those plans.

He had pins of 22 seconds, 1:03, and 1:55 along with two wins by technical falls (16-0 and 15-0) en route to the CMR championship in his hometown.

“That was a big deal,” said Block, who has been wrestling for 13 years and finished second at 152 as a sophomore. “It was on my list of goals. That was one tourney I really wanted to win.”

He marched to the LeProwse title with pins in 1:21, 2:31, 1:12 and 2:51, capped with a major decision in the championship match.

“Dylan is explosive,” said Luis Carranza, the Bison head coach. “He’s just a heckuva an athlete. Dylan, he’s just a kid who works hard. He leads by example on, and off, the mat. He knows when it is time work he puts his nose to the grindstone.

“I wish I had 20 Dylan Blocks.”

Block is part of Great Falls’ dominating triumvirate with Jace Komac and Kale Baumann. Komac entered 19-2 at 145 while Baumann came in 25-0 at 152.

“It’s awesome,” Carranza said. “They are the meat and potatoes of our lineup. I hate to use cliches, but iron sharpens iron. I couldn’t ask for a better group.”

Block concurred.

“We drive each other,” he said. “It goes back and forth. If I get a point, I know they are coming right back at me. We really like going at each other. It’s a really good environment. It’s a lot of fun.”

Komac, Baumann and Block opened the state tournament Friday with pins in 52, 36 and 43 seconds, respectively.

Block downed Cooper McGovern of Bozeman Gallatin by technical fall in the second round of the quarterfinals to end his action Friday, while Baumann earned a second-round victory by pin. Komac also advanced to Saturday's semifinals with a 1-0 decision over Teagan Dixon of CMR.

The trio is a large reason Great Falls is chasing its fifth trophy in six years. The Bison were third last year and won the state title in 2020.

Other first round winners for the Bison were: Cael Floerchinger, 113; Cash Clark, 120; Ross Tolliver, 126; Samuel Elliott, 132; Gage Clothier, 138; Ryder English, 170; Daniel Mann, 205; Issac Tolan, 285. Floerchinger, Clark, Mann and Tolan all had first-period pins.

Kaylin Taylor had a bye and a first-period pin to reach the 114 quarterfinals.

“We have to stay focused and control what we can control,” said Carranza. “We have to focus on the match in front of us.”

Great Falls CMR first-round winners were: Paydon De La Garza, 113; Landon De La Garza, 132; Teagan Dixon, 145; Gage Allen 182. Madalyn Deiter at 114 and Katie Slade at 185 each has byes, followed by first-period pins to advance.

Paydon de la Garza also made the semifinals with a major decision over Jayce Kolendich of Missoula Sentinel in the quarters.

If Block needs to be reminded of the urgency, he has to look no further than his leg. He has “There is no tomorrow,” tattooed in cursive on his right thigh.

“It’s from Rocky IV,” Block said with a smile. The 1985 movie storyline has Rocky Balboa fighting Ivan Drago in the Soviet Union.

“It’s my favorite Rocky movie,” continued Block, who is considering joining the National Guard after graduation. “When I was younger, I would watch it before tournaments. It was my pre-tournament warmup. This year, I watched it before the season.

“It means tomorrow is not promised. If you want it, go get it now.

“This season has been really good, really fun. Now it’s just one more tournament.”

This article originally appeared on Great Falls Tribune: 'Just get the crown:' Great Falls High's Dylan Block nearing state title