by Brady Schleuter, Head Coach and Carrie Moritz, Gazette
Five Blue Dragon wrestlers headed west to Rapid City this past week for the state tournament. Despite not coming away with the win on their first matches, all wrestlers gave their best. Jaden Richter was able to battle back, challenging Austin Hoiten of McCook Central/Montrose for third place.
The five included Preston Bohl, Hunter Abraham, Jaden Richter, Autumn Gaspar, and Hannah Frewaldt.
Bohl (138) was one match away from placing, winning consolation round one after losing his first match against a tough opponent from Winner Area. In consolation round one, Bohl pinned Leighton Sander of Custer. According to Head Coach Brady Schleuter, he battled and gave everything he had. Unfortunately, he had a tough match against Parkston's Carter Sommer in consolation round two to get into placing but fell just short, losing by decision 6-7.
"I was very pleased with how Preston wrestled- he did everything right and left it all on the mat. He has nothing to hang his head about," Coach Schleuter said.
The next to wrestle was Hunter Abraham, who had a tough draw in the 145 weight class. There wasn't really anything he could have done, according to Coach Schleuter.
"We told him the same thing we told everyone else, and that was to go out and leave it all out there and to make the best of the opportunity!" commented Schleuter. "Hunter did just what we told him. He showed Pride and wrestled his best. That's what we wanted out of him- he not only represented the town of Garretson well, but he represented himself with pride and determination!"
Abraham took on Drew Gerlach of Mount Vernon/Plankinton/Corsica-Stickney and Garrett Cramer of Faulkton Area.
Sophomore Autumn Gaspar also had a tough draw on the girls’ side as she wrestled two very tough competitors from Mitchell and Brookings, the first of whom placed fifth overall in the 120 weight class.
"I thought she wrestled well for it being her first year ever wrestling. She has nothing to hang her head about," said Coach Schleuter.
Junior Hannah Frewaldt went 0-2, wrestling two girls who ended up placing. Frewaldt went up against Johanna Steinlicht of Brookings and Victoria Verhey of St. Thomas More, who received 4th and 7th place in the 132 weight class, respectively.
"Hannah got the experience of wrestling in a big environment and that's only going to make her better for next year and I can't wait. If she puts in the work this off-season, she is going to be a dangerous wrestler next year and I can't wait," Coach Schleuter said.
The cap on the tournament was some outstanding wrestling from senior Jaden Richter (285), who ended his high school wrestling career in fourth place at the state tournament.
While he ended up losing his first round, he battled all the way back to compete for third.
"That takes a lot of pride and effort to do that as not too many kids have done that," said Coach Schleuter. "We knew how good Jaden he could be, he just needed to stay confident and focused."
Richter's first opponent, Lucas Rowland from Ipswich/Bowdle, was able to pin him, but Richter came out on top for consolation rounds 1, 2, and 3 against competitors from Mobridge-Pollack, Faulkton Area, and Newell.
In the consolation semi, Richter again faced off with Rowland, and was good on his revenge match, winning by decision 3-2. For his final match, he faced Austin Hoiten of McCook Central/Montrose, who was able to win by fall.
However, Coach Schleuter was very proud, noting that being unseeded in the tournament and ending with fourth place is a huge accomplishment!
Congratulations to Jaden Richter!
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UPDATE 3/2/23: Hannah Frewaldt was accidentally mislabeled in the print edition and Jaden's final opponent in the opening paragraph was missed. This has been corrected.
