ONIDA — Cateri and Tahnie Yellow Hawk serve as wrestling ambassadors for the Sully Buttes Chargers. 

The sisters are decorated wrestlers, promoters of the program and Sully Buttes coach Brady Weischedel said they’ve “put Sully Buttes wrestling on the map.”

“They represent our school and our team very well,” Weischedel said. “They’ve meant the world to this program. I have no doubt that our program wouldn’t be where it is at and recognized as it is without those two.” 

Weischedel said the Yellow Hawk sisters, enrolled members of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, have been cornerstones of the Sully Buttes program since girls wrestling was sanctioned by the South Dakota High School Activities Association in the 2020-21 season. In addition to their accomplishments on the mat, the sisters have brought other girls into the Chargers program, and Weischedel said they’ve helped set a high standard.

While Sully Buttes is steeped in basketball tradition, the Yellow Hawk sisters have carved out their own legacy on the wrestling mat, each qualifying for multiple state tournaments and representing the Chargers on the sport’s biggest stage.

“It’s been amazing being able to wrestle for Sully Buttes,” said Cateri, a 130-pound senior wrestler. “The community is always cheering me on and all that.”

Sully Buttes wrestler Cateri Yellow Hawk celebrates a win at last season's state wrestling tournament in Rapid City. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

The sisters have given the Chargers plenty to cheer about while donning the purple and gold. Cateri is a four-time state qualifier, including runner-up finishes in 2023 and ‘25. Tahnie is a three-time state qualifier, including fifth-place finishes in 2024 and ‘25. 

The state tournament berths are the fruits of their labor, while also motivating each other on and off the mat. Tahnie has dealt with nagging injuries throughout her career, including setbacks on her knee, elbow, and collarbone.

But through it all, Cateri was in Tahnie’s corner encouraging her to overcome the setbacks.   

“She pushes me to my limits,” said Tahnie, a 120-pound junior wrestler. “It’s been a helluva ride since we’ve started. But we push each other and we’ve been there for each other. It’s going to be hard when she leaves. I wanted to quit but she’s the one that told me no and then she told me to keep pushing through it because I had at least five injuries throughout my career.”

The sisters recently reached milestone wins, with Cateri hitting 150 career wins and Tahnie reaching 100 career wins. 

“For me I didn’t think I would get that far,” Tahnie said. “Especially with my injuries and how many times I sat out. But Cateri, she deserves that. She’s been working her butt off. She strives every day.”

Cateri and Tahnie were introduced to the sport by their older brothers Lucas and Chase Yellow Hawk, a pair of former Charger wrestlers. 

Sully Buttes wrestler Tahnie Yellow Hawk picks up a win over Canton's Brooke Warejcka at the Bride of the Monster wrestling tournament Friday, Jan. 9 2026 in Presho. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

Weischedel, who has coached Cateri and Tahnie since their AAU days, saw their potential at a young age. He said their competitiveness and intensity made them naturals, while also using it to their advantage on the mat. 

“There’s no one more competitive and no one that wrestles with more passion,” Weischedel said. “That’s been like that since they started. They’ve learned to hone that in and they still use that same fire and desire. I knew from the start they had the potential in the world if they were willing to stick with it and I am sure glad they did.”

As a result, Cateri will continue her wrestling career at the next level. She recently signed to compete collegiately for the Dakota Wesleyan University women’s wrestling team. 

Cateri also drew interest from Jamestown University, University of Sioux Falls and Bismarck State College. But Weischedel knew DWU was her preferred college destination. 

“She knew from the get-go that’s where she wanted to go and it’s an amazing opportunity for her and I couldn’t be more proud of her,” Weischedel said. 

Cateri said she picked DWU due to its proximity to Onida (170 miles) and she fell in love with the wrestling program. 

She’ll also continue to be a wrestling ambassador at the next level, encouraging the next generation to compete in college.  

“It’s going to be good,” Cateri said. “Because I want little girls to do it. If I can do it, little girls can do it.”