Montana State Northern Lights & Skylights Athletics

2023-24…This was the year of Rylin as he battled his way into the starting role at 184.  During the season, Rylin placed 3^rd at the Battle of the Rockies, 1^st at the Tyler Plummer Classic and 4^th at the Cascade Conference Championships, which earned him an automatic National Qualifying spot.  At his second consecutive NAIA National Championships, Rylin made the most of his opportunity.  Entering the National Championships as an unseeded competitor, Rylin bested the #13 seed in the opening round before falling to the #4 seed.  On the backside of the bracket, Burns bested a non-seeded wrestler before beating the #12 seed, the #7 seed and #8 seeds before again falling to the #4 seed.  In the placement round, Burns, injured and taped up, bested the #14 seed and became an NAIA All-American for the very first time by placing 5^th. 
2022-23…Rylin had his best season yet in a non-starter role going 17-10 with 5 pins.  Rylin was behind teammate and 2x All-American NaKoda Siegel, but he made it a fun season.  He was Co-Champ at the Spokane Open, 2^nd at the Battle of the Rockies, 6^th at Missouri Valley Invitational, 3^rd at the Tyler Plummer Classic and 5^th at the Cascade Conference Championships which gave him an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championships.  Rylin dealt with some injuries in the post season and was STILL 2-2 at Nationals narrowly missing All-American honors. 
2021-2022…During his freshman season, the Lights decided to have two wrestlers compete at the same weight.  Late in the season we pulled Rylin’s redshirt and put him on the mat.  Rylin placed 1^st at the CMU Open, 1^st at the Battle of the Rockies and 6^th at the Cascade Conference Championships, narrowly missing a berth to the NAIA National Championships.  For the season, Rylin compiled a record of 13-7 with 6 pins. 
HIGH SCHOOL…4x Montana State Placer and 3x State Champion going 1^st, 1^st, 1^st and 4^th. 
PERSONAL…Born 6-22-03…Trades Management Major
PARENTS…George Burns and Terri Bixby