BILLINGS – One of the most exclusive fraternities in Montana sports inducted another member Saturday afternoon.
Billings Senior’s Charlie Klepps became the 32nd wrestler to win four state titles after defeating Kalispell Flathead’s Jaden Macneil in the 132-pound championship match at the Class AA state wrestling tournament inside Rimrock Auto Arena.
Klepps took an early lead on a takedown in the first period and never gave up control of the match.
Afterward, the crowd gave him a standing ovation and he re-paid them with a signature backflip in the middle of the ring.
“I did it sophomore year, and I kind of felt like I had to bring it back,” said Klepps. “Plus, nobody’s going to want to watch me do backflips in my living room anymore.”
Klepps said the moment was better than he ever imagined.
“One hundred times better,” he said, “and I imagined some pretty cool things – all sorts of crazy stuff – but that was unbelievable.”
