This year’s Blackhawk wrestling team members are, back row, left to right: Riley Stevens, John Witte, Landon Wolter, Quinten Christensen, Tyler Eddy, and Phillip Hines; middle row: Collin Schmiedt, Seth Tebay, Luke Knipfer, Bailey Schmiedt, Brock Stevens, and Clay Olinger; front row: Carter Grohs, Troy Fastnacht, Kale Mohling and Camden Jost.

The 2017-18 Wessington Springs/Woonsocket Blackhawk wrestling season has started with the first official practice taking place on Monday, Nov. 13. This year’s roster includes 16 total wrestlers from seventh grade to seniors. Team captains for the season are Bailey Schmiedt (senior), John Witte (senior), Rylie Stevens (junior), and Landon Wolter (sophomore). The team has a relatively younger lineup, but according to Assistant Coach Dominic Schmiedt, “We have a lot of kids showing great potential with some good upper classmen to lead the way. I am very excited to see how much we grow and progress as wrestlers throughout the season.”

At the 132-pound weight class, Clay Olinger overpowers his Parkston opponent.

The team is off to a great start with the results from the tournament they attended in Kimball on Saturday, Dec. 2. Those placing in the team’s first event of the season were: Seth Tebay at 152 pounds – fourth place, Tyler Eddy at 160 pounds – second place, John Witte at 182 pounds – second place, Bailey Schmiedt at 195 pounds – sixth place, and Collin Schmiedt at 285 pounds – sixth place. The Blackhawks travel next to Sunshine Bible Academy for a Triangular event on Tuesday, Dec. 5, and then to Gregory on Saturday, Dec. 9, for their next tournament.

Bailey Schmiedt tries to gain control of his match in the 195-pound weight class.

…See the schedule and another picture in this week’s issue of the Sanborn Weekly Journal.