As girls wrestling continues to increase in popularity in South Dakota, it seems likely that it is just a matter of time before participation numbers statewide begin to even out with the number of boys competing in the sport as well. After three years under sanction of the South Dakota High School Activities Association, the Pierre Governors so far have been the benchmark team that has had the participation depth to fill all weight classes in competitions, which has in turn helped them win the first two State Team titles in the sport’s history. The only other school in the state to this point that has been able to compare to what Pierre has done in girls wrestling has been Canton and the budding rivalry between the two teams is getting interesting. Both teams have competed in the same tournament twice this season. Canton won the Lyman Invitation on January 6 with Pierre coming in second, although the Governors were missing three wrestlers due to injury and illness that day. Last weekend at the Lee Wolf Invitational in Aberdeen, both teams filled all 12 weight classes, and Pierre scored 231 points to Canton’s 225 to win the event.
Governor head coach Matt Thorson described the tight comparison between the two teams after the tournament win. “It is going to be very similar at state. Canton is definitely our biggest competition, but a lot of the girls are really good friends and they are a lot of fun to compete against. Great coaches, great girls, and it will be a fun state tournament!”
While individual bracket tournaments are filling up, dual tournaments don’t seem to be filling as quickly. However, Friday night Canton is set to host the first “unofficial” girls state dual tournament and Pierre is one of seven other teams invited to attend. A bracket drawn up after discussion among coaches has Pierre as the top seed in the tournament and they will square off against 8th seeded Rapid City Central in the tournament’s first round. Other opening duals will pair #4 Harrisburg against #5 Lakota Tech, and #3 Aberdeen Central against #6 Watertown. Canton will be second seeded and face #7 Viborg-Hurley/Irene-Wakonda. The full team bracket will be wrestled out and an “unofficial” state champion will be determined, similar to the Boys State Dual Tournaments which will be held next weekend, with the Class B tournament in Watertown and Class A in Brookings. Canton and Pierre, respectively, happen to also be the defending champions in both of those tournaments.
Story courtesy of DRG sportscaster Brian Oakland.
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