DICKINSON — The West River Ice Center will be a busy venue this weekend as The Pit Strength and Fitness hosts a pair of events. The gym will collaborate with Below Zero Wrestling on March 27 for a wrestling show, followed by a powerlifting competition on March 28.

The powerlifting event will feature athletes from across the country competing in three disciplines: squat, bench press and deadlift. Competitors’ scores will be combined, with the highest total earning a cash prize.

Scholarships will also be awarded to top powerlifting qualifiers who attend Dickinson State University. Eligible participants include high school seniors and older.

Saturday’s “King of the North” event will also include vendors, bounce houses and other activities, with festivities beginning at 8 a.m. and running all day.

David and Katie Stensland, who have directed this event and similar ones in years past, will once again lead the competition. This marks their fifth year directing the event.

“We do the Arnold in Columbus, Ohio, in March, and we also host regional events in North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota,” director David Stensland said. “This is our ‘King of the North’ event that we hold every spring in Dickinson. For the size of Dickinson, it’s one that usually sells out and does pretty well.”

A major milestone for this year’s competition is its designation as an “Arnold qualifier” event. That status allows placers of each weight class to qualify for the following year’s Arnold Classic in Columbus, Ohio, one of the most prestigious bodybuilding competitions in the country.

After several years of hosting meets, the Stenslands have built enough credibility to earn the Arnold qualifier designation.

“Dave and Katie do a really great job with their meets – they have the lights, stages, and all kinds of bells and whistles,” The Pit owner Jess Neel said. “Last year went so well, and between the reputation of the facility and Dave and Katie within the sport, it just made sense. That’s how we were able to get the Arnold qualifier.”

In addition to the powerlifting competition, the West River Ice Center and The Pit will host Below Zero Wrestling on Friday. This event will feature WWF-style wrestling entertainment, with several match-ups between professional wrestlers. This marks the third year the promotion has returned to the venue. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and the event will start at 7.

The family-friendly event will feature both floor and ringside seating, along with food and drinks. A meet-and-greet with wrestlers will follow the show. Tickets can be purchased online, at The Pit or at the door.

More information as well as tickets are

available here.

Carter is a sports reporter for the Dickinson Press. Born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2025 with a journalism degree.