The Minnewaska wrestling team competed at the Midwest Wrestling Tournament, April 14 at Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D.  There was dual wrestling competition, Saturday, April 15 and an individual tourney, Sunday, April 16.

The Minnewaska Area team, with the help of one wrestler from Morris and one from Alexandria, placed sixth out of 11 teams, which is outstanding considering the teams came from wrestling clubs based out of Sioux Falls, Prior Lake, Yankton, Aberdeen, Bismarck, Rapid City, Pierre and more.

After Saturday’s competition, some of the wrestlers elected to head home, but others stayed for the individual tourney, Sunday.

The team also heard the devastating news from back home about the death of Pope County deputy Josh Owen.  Before wrestling started Sunday, the folks at Northern State University held a moment to silence for Josh Owen and asked everyone to keep the Owens’ family in their thoughts and prayers.

According to the coaches, the Minnewaska wrestling wrestled with heavy hearts yet still came away with six individual titles.    Winning titles for Minnewaska were Mikael Moe, Lydia Braaten, Landon Schiffler, Chase Boelke and Alex Adams.  

“We consider this a very successful weekend and our plan is to return next year,” the coaches said.