Armstrong wins wrestling title. It isn’t close

The First Interstate Arena is a scene. It’s Saturday in Billings, the last day of the all-class state wrestling tournament. All afternoon long, weight class by weight class, championship matches are run simultaneously on four mats across the floor. Fans and teammates from dozens of schools across Montana are screaming, cheering and buzzing.

Kerisa and Josh Armstrong are in the stands, watching their youngest son vie for the 215-pound Class B title. “You can’t help but be nervous,” Kerisa says. Because that’s what moms do. But she knows her son. He’s been wrestling since kindergarten. “He knows what he’s doing, and he goes out and gets it done.”

Troy Humphrey is following the action from the sideline. He has coached this kid at Jefferson High since 9th grade, so he knows: Nothing will get in his head at this point. “He was so focused,” Humphrey recalls. “He had that look in his eye.”