RAPID CITY – It may not be this way forever, but for now, no one in South Dakota girls wrestling can match the Pierre Governors.
Pierre won its second straight SDHSAA Girls Wrestling Championship Friday at the Summit Arena at The Monument, scoring 164 points, 32 ½ ahead of Canton, who finished second.
All 10 Pierre wrestlers finished in the top eight of their respective weight classes, with sophomore Cierra McFarling winning the 285-pound state championship, her third straight year to win an individual title.
McFarling ended a 22-0 season by pinning Watertown’s Hope Orr at 1:29 of the third period for the championship.
Three other Governors lost in their title matches. Sydney Uhrig lost the 106-pound title match to Maraia Kruske of Spearfish. Gianna Stangeland lost to unbeaten Spearfish wrestler Taylor Graveman at 132 pounds. At 190 pounds, Marlee Shorter lost to Canton’s Zoë Adam 4-1 in tie breaker – 1.
Also for Pierre, Lexie Hillmer finished fourth at 113 pounds. Kezrey Benning placed seventh at 120 pounds. At 126, Dani Ringstmeyer was third. Abbi Lewis finished fourth at 142. Hattie Bladwin placed eighth at 154 pounds. Ireland Templeton was fifth at 170.
Two other Central South Dakota wrestlers finished as runners-up in their weight classes. Sully Buttes freshman Cateri Yellow Hawk was pinned by Peyton Hellman of Bon Homme/Scotland/Avon in the 126-pound championship match. Elena Brennan of Kimball-White Lake/Platte-Geddes lost by a pin in the 154-pound title match to Katrina Gibson of Aberdeen Central.
A welcome home celebration for the Governor girls wrestling team will be held on Tuesday evening at 6:00 PM at the Riggs High Gym.
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