By Rich Winter

605 Sports

RAPID CITY — Tuesday was a very big day for the Waln family and the Lakota Tech wrestling program. 

Four Waln siblings reached the finals of their respective weight classes with sisters, Arlissa, Jordan and Jessica all winning individual titles for the Tatanka. Younger brother, Jason, a seventh-grader, wrestling in his first-ever tournament, reached the 160-pound final before losing to teammate Antoine Running Bear in the finals. 

“I didn’t expect my little brother to do so well,” Arlissa Waln said. “On his first match he got a takedown and I started crying. When he won it felt good and it was very emotional for me.” 

Arlissa, a senior, won the 190-pound title with a first-period pin over Kathryn Iron Shell of Todd County. 

The most decorated of the Waln sisters is sophomore Jessica Waln who finished seventh in the Class A state tournament last year. She is currently ranked No. 7 in the latest Dakota Grappler 132-pound wrestling rankings and is undefeated on the season. 

“I only started wrestling last January,” Jessica Waln said. “There weren’t many girls on the team but seeing how many girls we have out now, and the success they are having, it makes me very happy.” 

Waln won the 132-pound title with a first period pin of Cheyenne-Eagle Butte/Dupree’s Tina Shields. 

The most unlikely of the Waln sisters to win a championship Tuesday was junior Jordan Waln. Jordan plays basketball on the Lakota Tech girls team but felt inspired to participate in two sports this winter after watching younger sister Jessica do well last season. 

“She was one of the only girls wrestlers last year and I think she opened the door for all of the girls to get involved in wrestling,” Jordan Waln said. 

Jordan Waln claimed the 170-pound championship with a third-period pin over Amaya Martinez of Todd County. 

In addition to the three individual titles from the Waln sisters, Lakota Tech had three other girls champions. Cante White Bull (120), Giada Scherich (142) and Eriah Big Crow (285). 

Lakota Tech easily won Tuesday’s girls team title with 148 points, outdistancing second place Todd County (69). The Lakota Tech boys also won a team title Tuesday scoring 158 points to edge Pine Ridge (110). 

The Waln siblings are the children of Jason Waln Sr. and Jennifer Brandee.