Coach Tostenson Announces Wrestling Season Awards

Milbank High School head wrestling coach, Jeremy Tostenson, released the names of the 2019-2020 Bulldog wrestling award winners. The team was unable to have an awards potluck as planned because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

MHS senior, and state champion, Eli Fischer was named the team’s Most Valuable Wrestler. He was also named to the 2020 Academic All-State Team for his achievements in the classroom. The award is sponsored by the South Dakota Wrestling Coaches Association. Athletes receiving the award must be a senior and have been a member of the team for three years or more and maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

Earning the junior varsity Most Valuable Wrestler award was Jayden Johnson and Evan Dorsett. Seventh grader Jesse Schneck was named the team’s Rookie of the Year. The Most Improved Wrestler award went to sophomore Leyton Raffety. Senior Brady Femling was named the Most Valuable Teammate while fellow senior, Brodie Holtquist, earned the Pinner Award with 19 pins on the season. Senior Joe Harstad was presented with the Justin Maass Spirit Award for his contributions to the team.

Four athletes had perfect practice attendance this season. They were Leyton Raffety, Kaden Krause, Jacob Johnson, and Landon Novy.

The following grapplers received a Major M for the 2019-2020 season: seniors Eli Fischer, Brady Femling, Joe Harstad, Brodie Holtquist, and Dillon Schneck; juniors Toby Schneck and Logan Meyer; sophomores Kaden Krause, Leyton Raffety, and Nick Trevett; freshmen Brayden Christensen, Isaac Dean, Zachariah Ringsaker, and Barrett Schneck; eighth graders Jayden Johnson, Jacob Johnson, and Landon Novy, and seventh graders Tate Schlueter and
Jesse Schneck. Also earning a Major M were student managers Siri Bien and Maci Preibe.

Earning a minor M for the season were freshmen Anthony St. Martin and Paul Van Dover; eighth grader Evan Dorsett, and seventh grader Joe French.

Milbank wrapped up the dual season with a 2-9 record. The Bulldogs sent seven grapplers to the State Class A tournament in Sioux Falls. State qualifiers included Eli Fischer, Brady Femling, Brodie Holtquist, Dillon Schneck, Toby Schneck, Leyton Raffety, Barrett Schneck, and alternate Jacob Johnson. Fischer won the State A title at 126 pounds. Toby Schneck placed fifth at 182 pounds.

Coach T would like to thank his assistant coaches Jesse Krause and Josh Schmeichel, the Milbank Wrestling Booster Club, Ron Krause, Wade Van Dover, and all the parents and fans for helping make this season a success.