By Rich Winter

605 Sports

A year ago Sturgis rose from a crowded field of competitors to claim the Class A state wrestling title with 197.5 points, ahead of Pierre (176) and Aberdeen Central (139). 

The Scoopers have some graduation losses in Tegan Zebroski, Beau Peters, Aiden Werlinger and 215 state champion Zak Juelfs but plenty of horsepower returns. Sturgis returns state place-winners Tyler Baldwin (third at 106), Teryn Zebroski (second at 113), Benjamin Nadig (fourth at 120 as an eighth-grader), Kalvin Ketelsen (fifth at 144), Joseph Nadig (second at 150), Zhoel Irion (fifth at 157) and Kelson Dirk (fourth at 175). 

While the lower lineup looks like murderers row the Scoopers will need help from some of their upper weights if they hope to repeat as Class A champions. Some of those extra points will come from Cade Willnerd, Gunnar Sarkela and Tyce Uherka. 

Pierre had a brilliant 2024 state tournament with Tristan Spencer, Lucas Chamberlain and Chance Carda all winning state titles. Those wrestlers, along with Trey Lewis (third at 175), will need to be replaced. 

The Governors will look to reload and build around Gable Uhrig (second at 106), Lincoln Schoenhard (fifth at 132) and Elijah Boutchee (second at 215).

West Central finished fourth in the team standings a year ago (127) and the Trojans return much of the firepower that vaulted them into the mix of elite Class A teams. 

Kaden Haakinson (sixth at 106), Bentley Klinkhammer (seventh at 113), Karson Vessells (seventh at 126) and Keaton Vessells (third at 150) will be the core the Trojans build around. Keep an eye on Brody Gossen, Alex Siemonsma, Jeff Whiting, Langdon Klinkhammer and Cody Opitz. Gossen was the Class B runner-up at 113 and will give the Trojans some big-time points this season.

Watertown finished eighth a year ago but the Arrows have several big-time returners and a slough of transfers that will aid the program. Two-time state champion Gage Lohr returns along with Class A 285-pound favorite Micah Hach. 

New Arrows this season that will aid the cause are Shea Richter (fifth at 106 for Rapid City Stevens), Brody Randall (113 Class B state champion for Hamlin/Castlewood) and Chase Matthews. Watertown looked very impressive in their season opening dual wins over Beresford/Alcester-Hudson (68-6) and Yankton (45-27).

Aberdeen Central was third a year ago, and while the Golden Eagles did lose Ayden Gisi (fifth at 215) and state champion Rayden Zens (126), a host of still young athletes return. 

Esten Foss (eighth at 106), Porter Lozenski (eighth at 120), Tate Huff (seventh at 132), Ridley Waldo (fifth at 138), Mason Schrempp (third at 157), Elias Biegler (eighth at 165) and Ryker Meister (eighth at 175) are all key returners. 

Keep an eye on Aberdeen Central sophomore Cole Dunlavy who was seventh at 190 as a freshman. 

Brandon Valley and Tea Area are two other teams that will be in the mix by the end of the season. 

The Lynx will build around state champion Brendon Oehme (113), along with Beckett Rehorst (seventh at 106) and Elijah Schunke (second at 190). 

Tea Area will build around returning state champion Sam Werdel (175) along with Tyler Woodring (fourth at 120), Dawson Eimers (fourth at 165), Chase DeBoer (sixth at 215) and Gavin Van Emmerik (sixth at 285).