PIERRE – When the SDHSAA State Wrestling Tournament begins Thursday at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City, the Pierre Governors will be well represented. 14 boys, one in every weight class, qualified at last Saturday’s 3A regional tournament. Seven Governor girls will take part in the first state girls wrestling tournament.
Pierre Wrestling Head Coach Shawn Lewis commented on that there will be over 80 female wrestlers from across South Dakota competing this weekend.
Lewis was asked which Governor girls have progressed the most.
Lewis said that after an expected halting start, the Pierre girls’ wrestlers have been excellent.
Lewis expressed pride that the Governor boys fill every weight class.
Some Governor wrestlers have had injuries, including 138-pounder Hayden Shaffer. Lewis said that Shaffer was rewarded last Saturday at the regional tournament for his hard work by winning his weight class.
Lewis said that this is a big weekend for the Governor seniors.
When Lewis first learned last week that Pierre would meet Mitchell in Thursday’s quarterfinal match of the Class A dual tournament, he was excited. He said he remains that way.
Senior Pierre heavyweight Preston Taylor will renew his excellent rivalry with Mitchell’s Beau Foote. Lewis said that Taylor is ready.
Brandon Valley and Rapid City Stevens have been tabbed as the Class A favorites. But Lewis thinks that predictions about state wrestling never really mean much.
Tune to 1060/107.1 KGFX for the best radio coverage of the SDHSAA State Wrestling tournament. Brian Oakland will be in Rapid city and have reports starting in the 11:00 AM hour on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Brian will also have live play-by-play of the Governors’ dual quarterfinal match with Mitchell at around 4:10 PM on Thursday, followed by the semifinal match if Pierre wins, and a possible match on Friday. Coverage will culminate with live coverage of all Class A and Class B championship matches on Saturday evening.
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