by Oran Sorenson, Coach
The Dan Pansch/Jesse James Invitational wrestling tournament was held this past Saturday in Brandon, proving to be one of the elite tournaments of the season. Some odd ten years ago or so Brandon and Garretson both were limping along running each their own pretty decent little tournament, when someone came forth with the vision of what such a combined tourney could be.
This year we had seventeen schools participate in the event held in probably the best possible location in the entire state. Brandon is able to use one of its huge sets of bleachers on one end, leaving enough floor space to put down four huge mats in square formation, giving fans arguably the best view of great competition known anywhere in South Dakota.
Two Minnesota teams who have usually been with us in the past will be back next year, as sometimes rotations of schedules on leap years roll forward in one state and not the other.
Those in attendance were also greeted to some of the best talent ever concentrated in one location with wrestlers from both B and A schools participating.
Canton is the top ranked team in the B standings with two of their wrestlers occupying first and third in the prestigious “Dynamite Dozen” statewide B rankings.
In the A rankings Brandon Valley is currently ranked second and the first five in the A “Dynamite Dozen” were all on hand to give the crowd a view of some of the best talent in this state.
Our first medalist was sophomore Jayce Miller. Miller went 3 for 3 on the day finishing 6th in a field of 12.
Our second medalist was junior Dominic Abraham. Dom won his first match by fall before running in to easily the best wrestler in the state in this weight class, Lucas Anglin from Vermillion. Dom would end up at 3-2 for the day, earning a fall in his final match over a Chamberlain highly ranked wrestler in his last trip to the mat.
Our third medalist was freshman Jaden Richter who finished 8th up at the 220 lb. class.
Another definite highlight of the day was being there to help a newcomer to the sport, sophomore Gabe Johnson celebrate his first victory in this sport.
“We are very proud of Gabe,” said head coach Francis Ruml. “We know how much there is to learn in a new sport and how much dedication it takes to walk out on the mat with no facemask to hide behind or not having your teammates surrounding you in the heat of battle. Gabe definitely deserved that win and the applause he got afterward.”
B school Canton would go on to easily outdistance runner up Brandon Valley to win the tournament, followed by Chamberlain, Bon Homme, and Sioux Falls Roosevelt to round out the top five.
Photos in slideshow by Kristen Westover
