New Programs and Numbers
Quote from Armbar on December 6, 2024, 9:42 pmIt's just strange where we're at with programs and numbers in NW SD. Just look at Stanley Co teams and entries. McIntosh, Faith, Timberlake, McLaughlin all have varsity teams now, which is GREAT!! BUT Lemmon has one entry, and Mobridge only 5. I'm sorry, but that's just sad. Both have had many youth wrestlers when these HS kids were in elementary and still do good elementary numbers.
It's just strange where we're at with programs and numbers in NW SD. Just look at Stanley Co teams and entries. McIntosh, Faith, Timberlake, McLaughlin all have varsity teams now, which is GREAT!! BUT Lemmon has one entry, and Mobridge only 5. I'm sorry, but that's just sad. Both have had many youth wrestlers when these HS kids were in elementary and still do good elementary numbers.
Quote from glorydaze on December 8, 2024, 11:56 amJust looking at tournament numbers and maybe throwing a bit of optimism in here:
the Custer girls tourney last year had 59 girls, this year 115
Watertown girls tourney last year had 45 girls, this year 115
As the coops start to go on their own I am not surprised that some of those teams need to rebuild a bit, but I do like where the trajectory or South Dakota wrestling as a whole is headed
Just looking at tournament numbers and maybe throwing a bit of optimism in here:
the Custer girls tourney last year had 59 girls, this year 115
Watertown girls tourney last year had 45 girls, this year 115
As the coops start to go on their own I am not surprised that some of those teams need to rebuild a bit, but I do like where the trajectory or South Dakota wrestling as a whole is headed
Quote from GMA on December 8, 2024, 2:40 pmQuote from Armbar on December 6, 2024, 9:42 pmIt's just strange where we're at with programs and numbers in NW SD. Just look at Stanley Co teams and entries. McIntosh, Faith, Timberlake, McLaughlin all have varsity teams now, which is GREAT!! BUT Lemmon has one entry, and Mobridge only 5. I'm sorry, but that's just sad. Both have had many youth wrestlers when these HS kids were in elementary and still do good elementary numbers
David,
I agree that it is great that the schools you mentioned (and any others) have chosen to support wrestling. As you're probably more aware than most with your time at Standing Rock, there are a lot of kids that need wrestling more than wrestling needs them. If having a program in the same building where they spend all day helps coaches connect with more of those kids that wouldn't otherwise participate, then it is probably a good trade-off for the sport compared to bigger teams at fewer schools.
I disagree, however, with your assessment of numbers. Our TEAM entered 7 varsity wrestlers in Stanley County yesterday, not one. All 7 placed. 5 of 7 were in finals matches, three carried brackets out the door. I don't consider that sad, I think we had a great day. It is unfortunate that we have a couple of veteran varsity boys that will miss most or all of the season with injuries. We also had two participating in state oral interp (where they received superior ratings) and our middle school wrestlers (including those that would be varsity eligible) traveled to Rapid City. Mobridge also entered 8 wrestlers, not 5. Taking the smallest possible sample size of a long season might be good for generating conversation, but it doesn't accurately represent the situation.
Thanks, Corey, for recognizing the youth program. There is a lot of potential there that will hopefully be fun to watch for years to come.
Jack Anderson - Lemmon HS Assistant Coach
Quote from Armbar on December 6, 2024, 9:42 pmIt's just strange where we're at with programs and numbers in NW SD. Just look at Stanley Co teams and entries. McIntosh, Faith, Timberlake, McLaughlin all have varsity teams now, which is GREAT!! BUT Lemmon has one entry, and Mobridge only 5. I'm sorry, but that's just sad. Both have had many youth wrestlers when these HS kids were in elementary and still do good elementary numbers
David,
I agree that it is great that the schools you mentioned (and any others) have chosen to support wrestling. As you're probably more aware than most with your time at Standing Rock, there are a lot of kids that need wrestling more than wrestling needs them. If having a program in the same building where they spend all day helps coaches connect with more of those kids that wouldn't otherwise participate, then it is probably a good trade-off for the sport compared to bigger teams at fewer schools.
I disagree, however, with your assessment of numbers. Our TEAM entered 7 varsity wrestlers in Stanley County yesterday, not one. All 7 placed. 5 of 7 were in finals matches, three carried brackets out the door. I don't consider that sad, I think we had a great day. It is unfortunate that we have a couple of veteran varsity boys that will miss most or all of the season with injuries. We also had two participating in state oral interp (where they received superior ratings) and our middle school wrestlers (including those that would be varsity eligible) traveled to Rapid City. Mobridge also entered 8 wrestlers, not 5. Taking the smallest possible sample size of a long season might be good for generating conversation, but it doesn't accurately represent the situation.
Thanks, Corey, for recognizing the youth program. There is a lot of potential there that will hopefully be fun to watch for years to come.
Jack Anderson - Lemmon HS Assistant Coach
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