SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The State A Wrestling Tournament wrapped up Saturday night in historic fashion — literally.
While Rapid City Stevens came away with the team title, all eyes were on Chamberlain’s Nash Hutmacher in the 285 pound championship match – saving the best for last.
In the final match of his high school career – and the final match of this year’s tournament — it was only appropriate for it to turn out this way.
Hutmacher cruised into the championship match – needing a total of just 71 seconds to pin his three victims to get there – the ‘Polar Bear” as he became called, needed 1:29 to win the title match over Gus Miller of Brookings.
With the win, Hutmacker finishes his record-setting career 42-0 and becomes the first four-time heavyweight champion in state history. He will likely finish as just the third South Dakota wrestler to be ranked No. 1 in the nation, joining Randy Lewis in 1977 and Lincoln Mcllravy in 1992.
In other championship matches, Kaden Olson of Sturgis was hoping to bring home the one and only available title for the Scoopers this year at 113 pounds. Brenden Salfrank of Aberdeen Central had other ideas — defeating Olson in a 3-0 decision. Olson wrestled well heading into the championship, beating wrestlers from Mitchell, Watertown and Brandon Valley to cap off a great year.
At 120, Cael Larson of Rapid City Central brought home the top prize, winning the championship match in a 6-2 decision over Alex Mentzer of Sioux Falls Lincoln.
An emotional Max Sailor gave the Spearfish faithful a first place medal — winning the 138 pound championship with a hard fought, 4-3 decision win over Declan Malone of Rapid City Stevens. For West River residents, it was a much anticipated match, featuring two star Black Hills area athletes.
At 145 pounds, TJ Morrison had a chance at a second Rapid City Central medal, but lost his championship match to Lucas Anglin of Vermillion.
Cooper Voorhees of Stevens finished off a great season with a championship at 160 pounds, as he defeated Colby Mennis of Madison 11-3. His teammate Caleb Brink was hoping to do the same at 170, but Huron’s Tyson Lien turned the tables on him and escaped with a 3-2 decision win to second Brink home with second place.
And, at 220 pounds, Ryan Brink of Stevens dropped his championship match to Navarro Schunke of Brandon Valley.
Despite the one championship, Stevens brought home the team title with 159 points in an ever so close race with Brandon Valley, who finished one point behind with 158. Watertown finished in a close third with 154.5. Pierre and Rapid City Central wrapped up the top five.
The Sturgis Scoopers finished in 7th place behind Chamberlain. Mitchell was eighth and Spearfish finished in a two way tie for ninth with Tea Area.
