South Dakota Adds Dual Tournament to State Wrestling Championships

The South Dakota High School Activities Association will hold its traditional individual state tournament this year, but it will add 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 – Thursday through Saturday, February 27-29, in Sioux Falls.

Teams must compete in a minimum of eight regular season varsity duals to be eligible for the state dual championships. To qualify for, medal, and place at the state dual team championships, teams must be able to fill 10 of the 14 weight classes in Class A and eight of the 14 weight classes in Class B state tournament matches.

The top eight teams in each class – Class A and Class B – will qualify for the state dual championships based on the SDHSAA Seed Point Formula for all regular season duals. (More specific information about the point system can be found on the SDHSAA website.)

Eight teams will qualify for the quarterfinal round of team dual competition. Four teams will qualify for the semifinals. Both a state championship and third-place match will be held for each class. Awards will be presented to the four teams that advance to those matches.

What does this all mean? Twice as much action! The traditional state champion in each individual weight class will be named as well as the team champion based on individual tournament points and a state dual team champion will also be crowned.

2020 State Wrestling Tournament Time Schedule:
Day One – February 27
Thursday 10 a.m. – First Round – Individual – All Eight Mats
Thursday 2:45 p.m. – Grand Entry – All Wrestlers
Thursday 3 p.m -. Quarterfinals – Individual – All Eight Mats
To follow (approx. 5 p.m.) – Quarterfinals – Team Duals – All Eight Mats

Day Two – February 28
Friday 9 a.m. – First and Second Round Consolation – Individual – All Eight Mats
To follow (approx. 12:30 p.m.) – Semi Finals – Individual – Four Center Mats
Friday 5 p.m. – Semi Finals – Team – Four Center Mats
Friday 6:30 p.m. – Third Place Duals – Team – Two Center Mats
Friday 8 p.m. – Championship Duals – Team – Two Center Mats

Day Three – February 29
Saturday – 11 a.m. Third and Fourth Round Consolation – Individual – All Eight Mats
To follow (approx. 2 p.m.) Third/Fifth/Seventh Place – Individual – Six Mats
To follow (approx. 5 p.m.) Championship – Individual – Two Center Mats