MANHEIM, PA - The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA), in partnership with the United States Marine Corps, is proud to announce that the assistant coaching staff at Huntley Project High School in Worden, Montana - Garrett Sholley, Brady Gulde, Spencer Higareda, and Mark Wandle - has been named the 2026 NWCA/MARINES "Battles Won" National High School Boys Assistant Coaching Staff of the Year.
The Red Devils captured their fifth consecutive Montana Class B State Championship and their seventh consecutive Class B Divisional Title in 2025–26, while also claiming the Class B/C Dual Championship. Huntley Project finished the dual season 15–3 and placed nine wrestlers in the state finals, including six individual state champions. The team scored 286.5 points at the state tournament - a new Class B record - and posted a team grade-point average of 3.5.
Sholley, Gulde, Higareda, and Wandle have been instrumental in the sustained success and growth of the Huntley Project program. Their collective leadership, commitment, and passion for the sport have helped guide the team to a fifth consecutive Class B State Championship and a seventh consecutive Class B Divisional Championship, an accomplishment that reflects the consistency and culture they help create every day. Each assistant plays a vital role in the development of student-athletes from first-year participants to state champions, dedicating countless hours to individualized instruction, practice planning, and offseason training opportunities.
"The Huntley Project staff shows what an exceptional assistant coaching squad can accomplish over the long haul," said Mike Moyer, Executive Director of the NWCA. "Five straight Class B state titles aren't an accident; they are the product of detailed daily work. Our sincere thanks to the United States Marine Corps for standing alongside the NWCA to honor the assistant coaches who quietly carry our programs forward."
2026 NWCA/MARINES "Battles Won" High School Boys Assistant Coaching Staff of the Year - Section Winners
- Section 1 - Spaulding High School (Vermont): Taylor Lozier, Trevor Bell, Hunter Quero, Nick Pierce, Mick Kerin, Matthew Thurston
- Section 2 - Grassfield High School (Virginia): Chris Buckner, Riley Starcher, Taylor Misuna, Mason Hoagland, Josh Rodriguez
- Section 3 - Creekview High School (Georgia): Ryan Prince, Wyatt Higgins, Steve Chavez, Hunter Smith
- Section 4 - Joliet Catholic Academy (Illinois): Ben Gerdes, Jim Lancaster, Luke Pascale
- Section 5 - Maize High School (Kansas): Derek Patterson, Ryan Smith, Chase Nelson, Evan Amaro, Cayden Hughbanks, Bryant Richard
- Section 6 - Grandview High School (Colorado): David Acosta, Cayden Bird, Rob Combs, David Ehrhard, Kolbe Fraley, Ben Menzor, Erik Skov, Arturo Zepeda
- Section 7 - Buchanan High School (California): Kai Dill, Donny Rider, Nic Contreras, Stephen Weimer, Anthony Dakuras, Chris Pena, Ralph Lopez, Stan Greene, Chris Gaxiola, Valaree Omegas, Rob Areyano
- Section 8 - Huntley Project High School (Montana): Garrett Sholley, Brady Gulde, Spencer Higareda, Mark Wandle - NATIONAL WINNER
The national winners for the remaining award categories will be announced this week:
- June 18 - Boys National Head Coach of the Year
