Friday December 8th and Saturday December 9th, the Bronc wrestlers took to the mat for their first competitions of the season. The two day Rapid City Invite hosts a large annual tournament every December with fierce competition, many seen only once per season from multiple bordering states, as well as from across South Dakota.
On the boys’ side, the Broncs had three placers on the podium; at JV 120 pounds, Dylon Park (2-3) placed sixth, at Varsity 144 pounds, Riley Dighton (3-3) placed eighth, and at JV 150 pounds, Elijah Branning (6-1) placed third.
Other competitors were: Teedin Humble (0-2) at Varsity 106 pounds, Logan Tyndall (0-2) at Varsity 120 pounds, Garet Huston (1-2) at Varsity 120 pounds, Koby Bowden (2-2) at JV 126 pounds, Taorin Humble (0-2) at Varsity 126 pounds, Alex Norlin (1-2) at Varsity 132 pounds, Clifford Torberson (0-2) at JV 138 pounds, Jory Olson (0-2) at JV 157, Peyton Alexander (2-2) at Varsity 157 pounds, Owyn Schreder (0-2) at Varsity 165 pounds, Spencer Bush (1-2) at JV 175 pounds, Zach Tonsager (0-2) at Varsity 175 pounds, Caleb Dosch (0-2) at JV 190 and Luke Tonsager (2-2) at Varsity 215 pounds.
On the girls’ side, the Lady Broncs had two placers on the podium; at the 100 pound weight class, Kyra Vandenberg (3-2) placed fourth, and for her wrestling debut, Chloe Merjil (4-3) placed eighth at 152 pounds.
Other competitors for the Lady Broncs were: Alexa Swaney (2-2) at 132 pounds, Joselyn Shockey (1-2) at 145 pounds, and Olivia Nehl (2-2) at 152 pounds.
Weight classes were changed in South Dakota for this season from previous seasons, hydration testing was also a mandatory implementation beginning last season in order to help promote safe weight management and cutting practices.
The Bronc wrestlers competed next at the Custer Triangular on Thursday December 14th against Lead-Deadwood and Custer. The Broncs fell to Custer 58 to 22 and won over Lead Deadwood 51 to 24.
Next the Broncs had an exhibition duel at the Pat Weede Memorial tournament in Gillette, WY on Friday December 15th. They then traveled to Wright, WY on Saturday December 16th where they placed second to Wright in the Wright Team Duels, over Sundance, Tongue River, Morecroft and Natrona County.
Four Lady Broncs competed in the Pat Weede Memorial Tournament with all girls placing and two champions. Kyra Vandenburg and Alexa Swaney were bracket champions, Chloe Merjil and Joselyn Shockey placed third in the tournament with an excellent showing for the Lady Broncs.
The Bronc Wrestlers will compete next in a home triangular at the Belle Fourche High School on Friday December 22nd at 5pm verse Douglas and Hot Springs. This will be Senior recognition night. Thursday December 28th the Lady Broncs will compete in the Spearfish Girls’ Invite and on Friday December 29th, the boys will complete at the Harding County tournament in Buffalo, SD. January 5th and 6th both teams will compete in Hettinger, ND.
