By Rich Winter 

605 Sports

RAPID CITY — No one understands the agony of defeat quite like Sioux Falls O’Gorman senior Keenan Sheridan. In each of the last two seasons Sheridan was the favorite going into his championship match at the Class A state tournament only to come up short.

On Saturday, the future South Dakota State University wrestler won his long-awaited state championship and defeated Brookings senior Gabriel Stern by technical fall.

“This has been a long time coming,” Sheridan said. “The past two years I was runner-up and it was heartbreaking. I finally got it done and stayed focused the entire time. “

Hanging over Sheridan’s head in each of the last two years was the lack of a state championship from the O’Gorman program. The last O’Gorman wrestler to win a state title was Chuck Cinco during the 1989-1990 season. 

With the O’Gorman fans going crazy Sheridan tech-falled his opponent 16-1 in a match that was stopped in the second period. An emotional Sheridan hugged his coaches before leaving the mat and receiving hugs and congratulations from adoring fans. 

“This means the world to me to have all this support,” Sheridan said. “My entire family came to support me and it’s hard to put into words. I’m just grateful.” 

Sheridan said he had many people to thank for inspiring Saturday’s championship.

“I wouldn’t be the wrestler I am without my club coach Brady Berge,” Sheridan said. “My uncle was a college wrestling coach and he played a big role in helping me fall in love with this sport. I’m thankful for my parents for constantly supporting me and always taking me to practice.” 

Sheridan finished the 2024-25 season with a 50-0 record. He said it has been an awesome experience to be part of an ever-improving Knights program that scored 83.5 points and finished 10th in the Class A division. 

“Coach (Ryan) O’Connor took over this program and turned it around,” Sheridan said. “It is headed in the right direction and I truly believe that one day he is going to have this program on top.”