SIOUX FALLS — Britney Rueb’s comeback season ended with a fourth state wrestling title.

The 135-pounder from Bon Homme/Scotland/Avon had her junior year cut short after suffering a knee injury.

Rueb made the comeback, went 29-0 and secured the 135-pound state championship at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center with a 1-0 decision over Spearfish’s Mathilde Matsuda.

“I just went out and did what I do best, do my own wrestling,” Rueb said. “With me coming off of an injury last year that ended my season, I was just grateful to be here. A year ago today, I didn’t think I’d be winning a state title. I just approached that match with confidence.”

To come back from the injury, Rueb says her senior season has been full of gratitude and has helped shape her into the wrestler she is today, a four-time state champion.

“I’m so grateful for everything I’ve gone through, the lessons that I’ve learned along the way just to get to where I am today,” Rueb said. “Without that injury, my mindset would be a lot different and that injury for the good I would say. It really shaped me to be the wrestler I am.”

Rueb added she felt the nerves of competing at her first state tournament in two years and holding on to an undefeated season.

Bon Homme/Scotland/Avon’s Britney Rueb celebrates her win over Spearfish’s Mathilde Matsuda during the girls 135-pound championship match on Saturday morning during the 2026 SDHSAA state tournament at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls. (Matt Gade / 605 Sports)

“I was really nervous,” Rueb said. “Every match I got really nervous, I just gave it my all and all I had because it’s one last ride.”

Rueb ends her career as a four-time state champion, earning titles in 2021 (112), ‘22 (113) and (120) as well. After walking off the podium for the last time, it was a memorable moment for the Scotland senior.

“I was a little sad,” Rueb said. “You don’t get more opportunities like you thought you did like seventh grade. Time goes by so fast, but I’m glad it ended the way it did.”

Rueb has set a standard and left a legacy that she hopes to continue in the Bon Homme/Scotland/Avon wrestling program. She is one of three girls wrestlers to win at least four state titles, alongside her former teammate, Peyton Hellman, and is excited to see the BHSA wrestling program have continued success as she moves on to her collegiate wrestling career at Southeast Community College.

“BHSA is just getting started. We’re a strong group of girls, we’re climbing to the top every year,” Rueb said. “They have so much potential and I can’t wait to see where they go.”