by Oran Sorenson, Assistant Coach
The Blue Dragon wrestling squad kicked off the 20-21 season in a good way last Saturday, placing 6 out of 6 contestants entered. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and a preseason injury, we were not able to enter all of our wrestlers currently working out. With that said, our boys who were able to compete made our local fans quite proud. Due to winter activities being held indoors of course, there is a limit on the number of fans allowed from each school.
Wrestler of the week honor this week would have to be bestowed on sophomore Jaden Richter, our lone champion at the long running Flier Invitational in the 220 lb. weight class. Richter would kick start his 2nd season in this varsity sport going 3-0 for the day. In round one Jaden won by decision 5-2 over Justin Granum of Deuel Co. In the semis Richter pinned his opponent from an A school, Tyler Reck of Madison. His toughest match of the day would be in the finals where he faced an opponent who he had lost to twice last year, number one seeded Chase Reed of host Flandreau. Richter would prevail with a pin in 4:49 to earn the gold and top spot on the risers for the medal ceremony. According to head coach Tyler Sorenson, “Jaden has a great attitude and listens very well. I am really happy with his performance and know that this is the first of many good things that can happen for this young man.”
Also earning his way to the finals was junior Jayse Miller in the 126 class. After a first-round bye, Miller pinned Karsten Hamilton of team champion Howard in the semifinal round in 1:49. Jayse would end up earning the silver after an 8-1 loss to a tough Isaac Henry of Madison.
The Blue Dragons had two participants finish 3rd in the tournament. The first was newcomer to Garretson, Trevon Cross. Cross is a senior who had earlier wrestled for Dell Rapids. According to Coach Jason Bohl, “Trevon is a real positive kid who knows how to work hard, he can help our team a lot. Even more important, Trevon is a real good kid and solid role models are always welcome.” In a GHS uniform for the first time and wrestling at 138, Cross pinned his opponent from Chester in round one. In round two the tables were turned when Trevon was pinned by runner-up Sam Olson from Madison. Cross would end the day with two more pins over opponents from Viborg Hurley and Sioux Valley to win the consolation finals and bring home the bronze. Finishing 3rd was 8th grader Martin Welch, who entered this week at HWT. After a first-round bye, Welch would lose to a tough Viborg Hurley opponent by fall. In the consolation finals Martin would earn a quick pin in 22 seconds over another opponent from the same program of Viborg Hurley.
Also picking up team points to help the short-handed Blue Dragons to a very respectable fourth place team finish were juniors Braxten Rozeboom at 132 lbs. and Tayson Swatek at 145. Braxten would lose in round one to the eventual champ from Howard, Riley Genzlinger by fall. After one bye and a victory by pin, Rozeboom would again be pinned in the consolation round by a respectable Joseph Weiss of Elk Point-Jefferson. Tayson had a nice win over Jack Neises of Howard in round three and an 8-0 major over a Chester opponent. But two losses to the same opponent, first in round one then again in the consolation finals destined this Blue Dragon to 4th.
“Over all, while we did make some early season mistakes, it was fun seeing our boys have some success, and we only hope with hard work and belief in our program, these boys will continue to improve to move on to even greater accomplishments in the all-important later season when it really counts, “said coach Tyler Sorenson summarizing the teams first outing.
