Bulldog Grapplers to Face New State Tournament Format

The Milbank Bulldogs wrestling team will encounter a vastly different format at the state Class A wrestling tournament. The South Dakota High School Activities Association will hold its traditional individual state tournament, but it has also implemented a dual team championship tournament. The state dual tournament will run in conjunction with the state individual tournament over the course of a three-day period – February 27, 28, and 29. (Additional information regarding the format and qualifying for the state tournament can be found elsewhere here at The Valley Express.)

Seniors Eli Fischer, Brodie Holtquist, Brady Femling, Dillon Schneck, and Joe Harstad will lead the team. Fischer has the most state tournament experience for the Dawgs. He placed fifth at 106 pounds in 2017, fourth at 106 in 2018, and landed in sixth place at 120 pounds last season. Holtquist is also a returning state place winner. He finished eighth at 195 pounds in 2019. Femling also qualified for state in 2019.

Sophomore Kaden Krause returns to the team as a two-time state qualifier. Junior Toby Schneck earned a spot in the state tournament last season. Freshman Barrett Schneck was a state qualifier in 2017, as a seventh grader.

Grapplers also looking to make an impact for Milbank include: junior Logan Meyer; sophomores Leyton Raffety and Nick Trevett; freshmen Khayri Bergman, Brayden Christensen, Isaac Dean, Zach Ringsaker, Anthony St. Martin, and Paul Van Dover; and eighth grader Jacob Johnson.

Head coach Jeremy Tostenson, who is in his 14th year at the reins, will be assisted by Jesse Krause and Josh Schmeichel. Coach T’s goal for the season is, “to prepare guys all season to push as many as we can through to the state meet.”

Milbank starts the season on Thursday, December 5, with a dual in Madison.

2019-2010 Bulldogs Wrestling Schedule:
Date – Time – Opponent – Location
Dec 5 – 6:30 p.m. – Madison – Madison
Dec 7 – 10 a.m. – Watertown Dual Tournament – Watertown
Dec 13 – 3 p.m. CT – Rapid City Invitational – Rapid City
Dec 14 – 9 a.m. CT – Rapid City Invitational – Rapid City
Dec 21 – 9 a.m. – Madison Invitational – Madison
Dec 30 – 9 a.m. – Floyd Farrand Invitational – Sioux Falls Lincoln
Jan 04 – 10 a.m. – BST Border Battle Dual Tournament – Milbank
Jan 07 – 6:30 p.m. – Sisseton – Milbank
Jan 14 – 6 p.m. – Redfield Area – Redfield
Jan 18 – 10 a.m. – Jerry Opbroek Invitational – Mitchell
Jan 23 – 6 p.m. – Watertown – Milbank
Jan 25 – 10 a.m. – Chamberlain Invitational – Chamberlain