605 Sports Staff

Lakota Tech wrestlers have historic debut at South Dakota state wrestling tournament

It was an historic moment for Lakota Tech High School on Thursday. 

Zaniyan Iron Eyes and Kolt Fox were the first wrestlers in the history of the three-year-old high school to qualify for the state tournament. 

Iron Eyes made more history in the first-round wrestlebacks, with the first state tournament win in school history. Iron Eyes pinned West Central’s Connor Siemonsma before getting knocked out of the tournament late Thursday with a 7-5 sudden victory loss to Sturgis’ Thayne Elshere. 

Iron Eyes and Fox are both just sophomores. 

 

Tray Weiss looking to become Custer’s second state champ

Custer 113-pounder Tray Weiss rolled into the semifinals of the Class B state wrestling tournament with two pins on Thursday. In the first round he pinned Marion/Freeman’s Easton Tschetter in two-minutes and :19 seconds. In the quarterfinals he pinned Neil Hicks of Bennett County in 1:13.

If he were to win a state title Friday it would be the second in the history of the Custer program. Logan Graf (106) won a title in 2020 before transferring to Rapid City Stevens and winning two more state titles. 

Entering Friday’s action, Custer is in second place in the Class B team standings. The highest finish Custer has ever had was fifth place. 

 

 

O’Gorman sophomore Keenan Sheridan looks to end 30-year title drought for Knights

Sioux Falls O’Gorman sophomore Keenan Sheridan is having a brilliant season for the Knights. He entered the 2023 state tournament with a 41-2 record and rolled into Friday’s semifinals with two decisive wins. 

The last O’Gorman wrestler to win a state title was Chuck Cinco who won the 135-pound title in the 1989-90 season. 

Oehme and Blasius brothers shine on Day 1 of South Dakota state wrestling tournament

Friday is going to be a big day for the fans of Philip/Kadoka Area/Wall Badlands Brawlers and Brandon Valley. 

For the Brawlers, brothers Jace Blasius (138), Blair Blasius (152) and Burk Blasius (170) all advanced to Friday’s semifinals. Burk Blasius is just a junior and has already won two state championships. Burk Blasius has not lost to a South Dakota prep wrestler in the last three years. 

The Oehme brothers, all four of them advanced to Friday’s semifinals. Bredon Oehme (106), Trevon Oehme (113), Jordon Oehme (132) and Trason Oehme (145) went unbeaten on Thursday. 

Wiedman and Clairmont putting Todd County wrestling on the mat

A week ago Todd County senior Rocky Wiedman signed to wrestle collegiately next year at the University of Sioux Falls. Wiedman is one of the few wrestlers from Todd County ever to go on to wrestle collegiately. 

Wiedman won both of his matches Thursday and will take on No. 1 seed Noah Hutmacher in Friday’s semifinals. 

Early Friday morning Todd County freshman Unique Clairmont (285) made history by winning the first state tournament match for a Todd County girl. It has been a good year for Todd County who qualified four girls to the state tournament, the first qualifiers in school history. 

More history will be made Friday as Clairmont and senior Atlantis Witt both advanced to the placing rounds. 

Schrempp captures 100th career win in style

Aberdeen Central’s Mason Schrempp advanced to the Class A 145-pound semifinals and claimed his 100th career victory in memorable fashion on Thursday.

The sophomore outlasted Tea Area’s Wyatt Stuntebeck, 9-7, in sudden victory to secure a trip into the semifinal round. Schrempp trailed 6-3 entering the final period, but he recorded two takedowns and a Stuntebeck escape forced overtime. 

That’s when Schrempp recorded a takedown 19 seconds into overtime to earn a semifinal berth and captured his 100th career win. Schrempp will face Huron’s Moses Gross in the semifinals on Friday.