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10 wrestlers to watch at this week's South Dakota high school boys state wrestling tournament

jonathan fernandez, sioux falls argus leader
·4 min read

The same question is asked around this time every year at the boys state wrestling championships.

Which South Dakota high school wrestlers will make names for themselves at the Denny Sanford Premier Center?

We've selected 10 guys that we believe will meet or exceed expectations in Sioux Falls this week, whether they will be state champions for the first time or the fourth time, a first-time medalist or something in between.

Chet Carda, West Central, Senior

West Central’s Chet Carda pins down a Pierre wrestler on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 at Dacotah Bank Center in Brookings.
West Central’s Chet Carda pins down a Pierre wrestler on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 at Dacotah Bank Center in Brookings.

One of the best linebackers in West Central football history is also a fantastic wrestler. Carda has posted a 22-1 record in his senior season and is ranked in the top three in his weight class heading into Thursday's tournament. The senior finished third in last year's state tournament, defeating Brookings Tyson Brandt by decision, and should at the minimum finish within the top three.

More: Wrestling is a family affair for the Cardas and West Central

Traun Cook, Canton, Senior

Redfield's Grady Fey shoots for a takedown against Canton's Traun Cook during the Class B 285-pound championship on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2023 in the South Dakota State Wrestling Championships at The Monument in Rapid City.
Redfield's Grady Fey shoots for a takedown against Canton's Traun Cook during the Class B 285-pound championship on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2023 in the South Dakota State Wrestling Championships at The Monument in Rapid City.

Cook has anchored the Canton wrestling team all season long. After winning the Class B 285-pound championship last year, the senior has put together an incredible season. He finished third at the Dan Gable Donnybrook Tournament and has posted a 47-3 record. He also helped lead Canton to the Class B Team State Duals Championship earlier this month. Cook could be well on his way to going back-to-back.

Ayden Dooley, Jefferson, Junior

Weston Everson of Watertown (left) controls Ayden Dooley of Sioux Falls Jefferson during their 132-pound championship match Saturday in the Region 1A wrestling tournament at Sioux Falls O'Gorman. Everson won the match 5-0.
Weston Everson of Watertown (left) controls Ayden Dooley of Sioux Falls Jefferson during their 132-pound championship match Saturday in the Region 1A wrestling tournament at Sioux Falls O'Gorman. Everson won the match 5-0.

Dooley moved up a weight class after finishing fourth at 138 last year. He nearly won third place but fell just short against Vermillion's Michael Roob via sudden victory. Dooley has gone 25-3 this season and should be one of the favorites to win a state championship.

Logan O’Connor, Harrisburg, Senior

O'Connor has also shifted up a couple of weight classes since last year when he finished second in the Class A 152-weight class state championship. O'Connor has strung together some great performances this year.

He's finished third at the Cliff Keen Independence Invitational, second at the Rapid City Invitational, and first in the 2024 Boys Les Tlustos-Brookings tournament. O'Connor should finish strong in the 165-weight class.

Eighth-grader Gage Lohr of Watertown recorded a 5-2 win over Brandon Valley's Brendon Oehme during the 106-pound Class A championship match on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023 in the South Dakota State Wrestling Championships at Rapid City.
Eighth-grader Gage Lohr of Watertown recorded a 5-2 win over Brandon Valley's Brendon Oehme during the 106-pound Class A championship match on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023 in the South Dakota State Wrestling Championships at Rapid City.

Brendon Oehme, Brandon Valley, Freshman

Oehme had a tremendous first season with the Lynx as an eighth-grader last season. He made it to the Class A 106-pound weight class final against Watertown's Gage Lohr. This year, Oehme has posted an impressive 34-8 record in the 113-weight class. He'll certainly be someone to keep an eye on at this year's state tournament.

Rapid City Stevens' Corbin Zent flips Brandon Valley's Trevon. Oehme upside down during their championship match at the State Wrestling Tournament on Friday, February 25, 2022, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Rapid City Stevens' Corbin Zent flips Brandon Valley's Trevon. Oehme upside down during their championship match at the State Wrestling Tournament on Friday, February 25, 2022, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.

Trevon Oehme, Brandon Valley, Senior

Oehme is a two-time state champion for Brandon Valley and is a favorite to win again. Last year he beat Pierre's Alex Oedekoven to claim the Class A 113-pound weight class state championship and has gone 22-4 in his senior year.

Canton's Ayson Rice and Winner Area's Kaleb Osborn compete during their championship match at the State Wrestling Tournament on Friday, February 25, 2022, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Canton's Ayson Rice and Winner Area's Kaleb Osborn compete during their championship match at the State Wrestling Tournament on Friday, February 25, 2022, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.

Ayson Rice, Canton, Senior

Rice is a returning state champion for the C-Hawks after defeating Kimball/White Lake/Platte-Geddes's Carter Lenz in the tournament pretty decisively last year. He'll enter this weekend's tournament as the favorite to repeat for Canton.

Brandon Valley’s Navarro Schunke shakes hands with West Central’s Gavin Pischke after a match on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 at Dacotah Bank Center in Brookings.
Brandon Valley’s Navarro Schunke shakes hands with West Central’s Gavin Pischke after a match on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 at Dacotah Bank Center in Brookings.

Navarro Schunke, Brandon Valley, Senior

A dominant offensive lineman for Brandon Valley, Schunke has the opportunity to accomplish something historic this weekend. The Kansas State commit has won four state championships and has a real chance for a fifth after going undefeated this season. Schunke combines a unique blend of size, strength and agility on the mat.

Keenan Sheridan, O’Gorman, Junior

Sheridan came up just short last year in the Class A 160-pound weight class state championship, falling to Pierre's Deegan Huska via decision, but he's the favorite to win the 175-weight class this year. The junior is undefeated this season and has even posted a couple wins over the reigning 175-weight champ.

Sam Werdel, Tea Area, Junior

Werdel is a returning state champion after beating Pierre's Trey Lewis last season but will have his hands full at this year's state tournament. O’Gorman’s Keenan Sheridan has proven to be his biggest competitor, earning two wins against Werdel during the season. Expect those two to fight it out for the Class A 175-weight state championship.

Jonathan Fernandez covers high school and college sports for the Argus Leader. Contact him at jfernandez1@argusleader.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JFERN31

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Who to watch ahead of South Dakota high school boys wrestling tournament