For Ahner it's an honor to wrestle, at any weight

To understand how things could be different for Mark Ahner, take a look at his freshman, sophomore and senior wrestling seasons.  

All three years the Glacier grappler found himself wrestling up a weight. In 2023 you generally found him at 160 pounds because the Wolfpack had Kaleb Shine (third at state) and Nikola Coles at 152.  

This season, with the defending state champion Coles and younger brother Matt Ahner at 165 and 175, Mark Ahner found himself at 190. Subsequently he went 20-11 on the mat ahead of the Western AA Divisional, which begins at 2 p.m. today at Flathead High School. 

The good news: Dual season is over, and Coles and the younger Ahner are going to both be wrestling at 165. 

“He has wrestled 190 for the dual team all year, basically,” Glacier coach Ross Dankers said of Mark Ahner. “So he’s taken a few losses because he’s a team player. But he’s really a 175 wrestler. That’s where he should be and that’s his correct weight.” 

That’s where he’ll wrestle Friday and Saturday. He’s ranked No. 5 in AA at 175, incidentally. There’s no guarantee the lower weight will be easier than 190, but at least he’s not giving away size. Besides, he said: “I think Matthew is going to be a really good wrestler down the road.” 

“It wasn’t too tough,” Ahner added of wrestling up. “It’s where it fits best for the team. I’m just happy to wrestle wherever.” 

It’s what you might expect someone with that last name to say. It was the “Ahner-able” thing to do. 

Ahner was pretty much born to wrestle. His uncle, Mark Fischer, guided the Glacier High wrestling program through its first six seasons of existence (2007-13). 

“It was always very big in my mom’s household,” he said. “All of her four brothers wrestled. They put me into it when I was in second grade, and I just kind of stuck with it.” 

If you see the names Mark and Matt and think of the Gospels, you’re on target. The Ahners are Catholic, and the latest (and seventh) addition to the brood debuted on Friday of last year’s state tournament. 

“My little Vivian Grace,” Mark Ahner said. “It’s been real fun. 

“I’m the oldest, which comes with its challenges. But you know, it’s pretty awesome, too.” 

“Good all-around kid and a great family,” Dankers, who succeeded Fischer in 2013-14, said. “He lifts hard and works hard and comes to very camp. He’s just a really, really good kid.” 

A first-team All-State pick this past season at linebacker, Ahner could play football in college; he also seems likely to podium in the 300 hurdles this spring. 

“He could really do anything,” Dankers said. “He could run track. He could wrestle; he could play football. 6-1. The door is open for him.” 

But Ahner is looking forward to just college, and not college athletics. 

“I’ve talked to a couple colleges,” he allowed, but: “I’d rather focus on getting a degree and looking for a job." 

The immediate goal is a business degree. And then? “I think I want to go into the seminary, unless my plans change.” 

Last season was Ahner’s best in terms of record and result. Wrestling at his “true” class, 170, he entered the state tournament 19-5 and found himself in the semifinals Saturday morning.  

He fell to eventual champion Ryder English of Great Falls, won his wrestle-back and then lost an 8-4 decision to Payton Cicero of Billings West for third place.  

That experience built confidence. Plus, Dankers said, he’s improved. 

“He’s developed his feet game, at neutral,” Dankers said. “He’s gotten better on his feet, gotten better on the bottom — and he’s just a hammer on top. He has a lot of pins.” 

Flathead’s Clifford Nance is ranked fourth at 175 heading into divisionals; Will Collins of Helena High is No. 6. The aforementioned Cicero is one of two Billings West wrestlers ranked in the top three; Gabe Rosales is No. 1. 

If you’re wondering, No. 2 Carson Shaw of Gallatin beat Ahner 1-0 at the AA Duals a couple weeks ago. 

“As a senior you’re more confident, and you know that you have the capability to win against guys you haven’t been on par with,” Ahner said. “As a junior you’re not as confident. 

“As a senior I’m not cocky. My coaches tell me, ‘You have to go in with the confidence to win but treat every match like it’s your toughest.’ ”