By Ryan Deal

605 Sports 

On Saturday, Scherich proved it. Trailing Sioux Valley’s Summer Guthmiller 4-0 in the second period, Scherich scored a reversal and three-point nearfall for a 5-4 lead. She added a three-point nearfall in the third period and secured the state championship. 

“Honestly, I had to control my mind,” Scherich said. “I am not good at controlling my mind. This state tournament has shown me a lot. If you can control your mind you can control just about anything.” 

After the final period, Scherich glanced at her coaches David Michaud Sr., and David Michaud Jr., in disbelief at the moment.  

“Surreal,” Scherich said. “I couldn’t believe it. It was in denial for the first 30 seconds.”

Scherich also exacted a measure of revenge against Guthmiller, who pinned her earlier this season. 

“We knew she could score on us,” David Michaud Sr., said. “She got taken down in the beginning, but we talked about it, don’t worry about the score and always wrestle. The score will take care of itself in the end and she wrestled really well.” 

“It’s great for the other girls to see,” Michaud Sr., added about Scherich. “She’s really an inspiration.”

Scherich wears a protective mask due to a nose injury, but removed it after the first period. 

“I just couldn’t see,” Scherich said. “I was getting in my head about it. I knew if I kept it on I would have definitely started doubting myself more. It would have gotten in my head. So I just knew it had to go off.”

The strategy worked and Scherich cemented herself as a trailblazer for Lakota Tech High School. 

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn't for the school itself,” Scherich said. “The teammates, the staff, my coaches have gotten me to this spot and I have been wanting to get to this spot ever since I was a little girl. So all my recognition goes to everyone in that school.”