by Oran Sorenson, Assistant Coach
The 2021 wrestling season is now in the history books, not only because it is has passed, but for other reasons as well. Following the lead of other states, South Dakota has now endorsed girl’s wrestling and a number of young girls were courageous enough to enter into the mix in this inaugural season. And for it, they were rewarded by receiving center stage Saturday night at the Rushmore Arena in Rapid City. These girls will forever be known as the first to compete for medals on the state level.
As reported last week, Garretson senior Trevon Cross was the one alternate in the B 138 lb. weight class. Fortunate for the sixteen qualifiers, none missed weight or contracted COVID-19 and thus Cross was not able to take to the mat. As far as results from our area, three Region 2 schools finished in the coveted top 8. Canton finished in first for the fourth consecutive year while Winner was runner-up for the same years. McCook Central-Montrose finished 7th and Elk Point-Jefferson really stepped it up with great performances to catch the 8th spot.
As far as individual results, Region 2 had just over its share of medalists with 30 total. While we seemed to dominate on the number of wrestlers in the finals, only three went on to win championships. Those three were Canton freshman Ayson Rice who was the number one seed at 120, McCook freshman Jackson Remmers who was the number two seed at 132, and Canton junior Marshall Baldwin who was the number one seed at 220. Without a doubt, the most electrifying match on Saturday night was at weight class 145 where two experienced seniors with one loss apiece physically went after each other. When the dust had settled 2nd seeded Bradyn Robbins from a tough Redfield group had prevailed with a convincing 7-3 decision over the number one seed, returning champion Braden Sehr of Canton. Robbins had lost in the finals to Sehr just one year ago. This victory earned Robbins the outstanding wrestler award.
Two of the other greatest finals match were at weight classes 126 and 160. Seemingly always one of the most competitive classes, 126 was again a dandy. In his third year in a row in the finals, senior Jadyn Coller of Kadoka/Phillip was this time the number one seed. But a very talented sophomore Owen Hanson of Burke-Gregory was the number two seed and had upset on his mind. The two had wrestled each other twice previously this year, each winning once. But again this year, Coller would have to take home the silver being outwrestled 6-2. At 160 Canton senior Jaden Dominisse was working to be a repeat champion and with only two losses on the year had earned the number one seed. Meanwhile a young freshman from Wall/Phillip who had finished 7th last year, entered the tournament with only one blemish on his record to earn the number two seed. Burk Blasius would go on to defeat the Canton senior in a tight 3-2 decision and open what could be a stellar career.
Since the Region tourney the week previous, our wrestlers, coaches, and parents have had time to assess what our team needs to do to get our program where we want it to be. One suggestion from members of the squad is team evening weight lifting sessions or evening runs. Also, a team camp in Nebraska is being discussed with more details to come soon when the team has its year end gathering with all involved. Wrestlers and parents stay tuned for a time, date, and place for a pot luck supper to be announced soon.
