By Rich Winter

605 Sports

Early in the 2023 championship match (285) between Pierre’s Ciara McFarling and Watertown’s Hope Orr, McFarling, a two-time state champion, was on the ropes. Orr got off to a fantastic start but as the match went on McFarling began to take control. At the 5:29 mark of the third period the referee blew the whistle with McFarling earning a third state title. 

Still only a junior, McFarling will have an opportunity for a fourth consecutive title when wrestlers gather for the 2024 state championships in February. Another junior, Bon Homme/Scotland/Avon’s Peyton Hellmann will also be aiming for a fourth consecutive state title.

Girls wrestling is getting ready for its fourth year as a sanctioned sport. Each year the numbers grow and the talent seems to spring from all corners of the state.

While there were some graduation losses that included three-time champions Taylor Graveman, Spearfish and Carlee Laubach, Canton, five champions are back to defend their titles.

Returning state champions: 113 - Sara Schroder, Canton, senior 34-1; 120 - Regina Stoeser, Harrisburg, sophomore, 36-2; 126 - Peyton Hellmann, Bon Homme/Scotland/Avon, junior 41-2; 154 - Katrina Gibson, Aberdeen 12 35-8; Ciara McFarling, Pierre 11 22-0

Wrestling has been a sanctioned sport for three years but team titles have only been awarded the past two years. In each of those years Pierre has won the trophy with Canton finishing as runner-up. Last year the Governors scored 167 points with Canton putting up 134.5

As the 2023-2024 season gets underway any path to the top two podium spots in February will likely go through these two teams. 

Returning state place-winners for Pierre: 106 - Sydney Uhrig, Pierre, 34-7, 12; 113 -  Lexi Hillmer, Pierre 8 36-18, 4th; 120 - Kezrey Benning, Pierre 10 32-17, 7th; 126 - Dani Ringstmeyer, Pierre 11 36-12, 3rd; 142 -  Abbigail Lewis, Pierre 9 36-8, 4th; 170 -  Ireland Templeton, Pierre 11 35-13, 5th; Ciara McFarling, Pierre 11 22-0, state champion.

Returning state place-winners for Canton: 113 - Sara Schroder, Canton 12 34-1, champion;  126 - Kieonna Smith, Canton 12 21-15, 6th; - 154 Natalia Long, Canton 9 23-10, 3rd; 285 - Kiara King, Canton 12 14-6, 3rd.

Canton's Sara Schroder returns after winning the (113) title last season

Returning state place-winners and their current grade:

106 - 3. Mary-Katherine Joseph, Brandon 12 30-6 4. Olivia Anderson, Watertown 8 36-14 5. Trinity Duran, RC Stevens 11 37-14 6. Akane Metcalfe, KWLP 12 20-4 7. Frankie Kranz, Mitchell 9 36-14 8. Kyra Vandenberg, Belle Fourche 9 23-10

113 LBS 1. Sara Schroder, Canton 12 34-1 2. Brooklyn Baird, Sturgis 12 28-3 4. Lexi Hillmer, Pierre 8 36-18 5. Dani Batchelor, CWL 12 25-9 6. Madyson Gillen, Aberdeen 12 33-11 8. Madelynn Schlup, Spearfish 11 31-20

120 LBS 1. Regina Stoeser, Harrisburg 10 36-2 2. Britney Rueb, BHSA 10 39-3 3. Quinn Butler, Lemmon/Mc 10 43-3 4. Alexis Bryant, MCM 10 33-9 5. Danny Borja, Mitchell 10 38-9 6. Aubrey Jensen, VIHIW 10 25-16 7. Kezrey Benning, Pierre 10 32-17 8. Shelby Shrake, Chamberlain 11 24-14

126 LBS 1. Peyton Hellmann, BHSA 11 41-1 2. Cateri Yellow Hawk, SUBU 10 24-6 3. Dani Ringstmeyer, Pierre 11 36-12 5. Madison Snyder, Sturgis 12 28-8 6. Kieonna Smith, Canton 12 21-15 7. Jessica Waln, Lakota Tech 11 23-8 8. Alexa Swaney, Belle Fourche 11 17-10

BHSA's Peyton Hellmann will be looking for her fourth consecutive state title - Rodney Haas - 605 Sports
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132  3. Giada Scherich, Lakota Tech 11 23-5 4. Johanna Steinlicht, Brookings 11 25-9 5. Brooke Grajczyk, Webster 8 19-11 7. Victoria Verhey, STM 12 24-12 8. Katelyn Yexley, Watertown 10 20-27

142 4. Abbigail Lewis, Pierre 9 36-8 5. Summer Guthmiller, SV 9 33-10 6. Marieda Kalahar, RCS 11 31-12 7. Sarah Rickenbach, HOSP 9 23-11 

154 LBS 1. Katrina Gibson, Aberdeen 12 35-8 2. Elena Brennan, KWLP 11 12-8 3. Natalia Long, Canton 9 23-10 4. Jordan Waln, Lakota Tech 12 14-8 6. Rhiannen Heimdal, Harrisburg 10 22-18 7. Kadie Mendel, RCS 12 28-17

170 LBS 5-1 2. Maizy Mathis, Brookings 12 20-7 3. Brianna Johnson, Tea 12 19-10 4. Gia Miller, VIHIW 12 28-10 5. Ireland Templeton, Pierre 11 35-13 7. Marlee Heltzel, Spearfish 8 23-20 

190 LBS 4. Jessica Mckenney, Custer 9 19-8 5. Allison Konrad, Watertown 10 25-15 6. Tailie Brehm, RCS 10 24-18 7. Zoey Holtz, DRCC 11 9-8 8. Eriah Big Crow, Lakota Tech 11 12-6

285 LBS 1. Ciara McFarling, Pierre 11 22-0 3. Kiara King, Canton 12 14-6 4. Maria Larson, SFL 12 11-8 5. Alissa Ault, SFJ 10 16-14 6. Allison Foote, WC 12 10-11 7. Destiny Tiplet, DRCC 11 23-5 8. Unique Clairmont, TOCO 10 12-19

Harrisburg's Regina Stoeser won the (120) title last spring - Rodney Haas - 605 Sports