By Kandi Tonsager,
The high school wrestling teams traveled to The Monument in Rapid City on Friday December 12th and Saturday December 13th for the annual Rapid City Invitational.
It is always a large grueling tournament full of tough competition from 55 teams representing multiple states.
Initially 79 teams were registered, but with adverse weather, a number of teams dropped out.
Typically states competing are from our region, including South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, Idaho and Montana, this year, however, the competition also included a team competing from San Tan Foothills High School in Arizona.
The team spent 20 hours traveling to the tournament for some competition from our local youth.
Earning your way to the podium at this two-day tournament is no small feat.
The Broncs had 12 male and 4 female competitors between their JV and Varsity teams this week.
Some team members were wrestling up in heavier brackets than where they will land once their decent plans are completed.
Wrestlers must start the season with an OPC hydration test that assesses body composition and a safe amount to cut per week to their desired bracket weight.
Some competitors on the team were moving up from the middle school team and experienced their first high school matches.
Both the boys and girls teams had great showings with three boys earning a spot on the JV podiums; Conner Crowser and Kolby Tibbs each took 6th while Koby Bowden took 4th.
For the girls, up and coming 7th grader, Charlie Huston took 6th and for the second year running, Kyra Vandenberg took Champion.
The Broncs wrestle next on Thursday, December 18th in Lead for a triangular with Custer, then onto Madison December 20th for an invite.
Read the full issue of the Belle Fourche Beacon by clicking here.
