Flandreau Senior Karter Headrick pins Parkston’s Gage Jodozi in the quarterfinals of the Class B State Wrestling Tournament held in Rapid City last weekend. Headrick finished sixth for the Fliers.
Justin Klein earns a win over a common opponent, Gunnar Ewing of Elk Point-Jefferson.
Teague Bergjord was drawn to face the top ranked Landyn Flogstad of McCook Central/Montrose.
Tyton Peters faces Aiden Novak of MV/P/C-S
Zach Pederson works to get free from Gavin Braun of Kimball/White Lake/Platte-Geddes.
Overall, I am super proud of this whole team…not just these five. It was a great year for Flandreau wrestling and this team is just starting to be a team with a force. We will be working in the off season and be ready and better next year.”
Head Flier Wrestling Coach Cody Chamblin
ML Headrick
RAPID CITY – Karter Headrick was the lone Flier to make the podium at the SDHSAA Class B Wrestling Tournament held at The Monument, February 27-March 1.
“It was a decent state tournament,” said Head Coach Cody Chamblin.
“Not all things came out like we wanted, but I feel like everything was left on the mat.”
Headrick finished sixth for the lone Flier to place.
As the 215# sixth seed, Headrick opened the tourney with a 1:54 pin against Tucker Hardy of Britton-Hecla and then took an exciting win by fall (3:45) over Gage Jodozi of Parkston. The two had met earlier three times this year with the Trojan earning all the matches.
In the semifinals, Headrick faced the #2 seed Holden Havlik of Wessington Springs/Woonsocket/Wolsey-Wessington where he took his first loss of the tourney, 17-0 tech fall. Havlik went on to win the 215 title.
In the wrestlebacks, Headrick met the #1 seed, Camden Murray and the Pheasant got the lone score by escape and won 1-0.
Headrick then went to the fifth and sixth place match and took on Jimmy Burma of Sunshine Bible Academy. In his final match as a Flandreau Flier, Headrick fell to Burma to take sixth and end his senior year with a record of 45-12.
“Our senior Karter kept us on our feet throughout the whole tournament,” said Chamblin.
“He ended up placing sixth which is what he was seeded and should be proud of that. He had a great year. This team will truly miss him next season.”
Two Fliers both recorded a 1-2 mark.
Justin Klein was pitted against a familiar foe, Gunnar Ewing of Elk Point-Jefferson and this time got the win in a 10-1 major decision.
His next round was matched with the top 175 lb. seed Kale Crowser of Philip/Kadoda Area/Wall. The Brawler won the match by tech fall, 22-4 and went on to win the highly talented 175 pound title.
Next Justin Klein again in a highly completive weight class avenged losses from a region and conference foe in the opening round.
“Kale Crowser is a wrecking machine winning most of his matches by tech fall,” said Chamblin. “He pushed him to the limit and had Crowser on his toes. I would have to say the times we have wrestled Crowser we have been one of his tougher matches.”
In Klein’s next round, he fell to Groton Area’s Korbin Klucker in a 10-4 decision to bow out of further action. He ended his junior year with a record of 43-18.
“Klein will be coming back next year with a purpose and making the podium and a great team leader.
At 132 lbs. Zach Pederson lost a 19-2 tech fall to Gavin Braun, #3 seed from Kimball/White Lake/Platte-Geddes. He then regrouped to face Emmett Edwards of St. Thomas More taking an 8-2 decision. His next match was against Daniel Dorsey of Mt. Vernon/Plankinton/Corsica-Stickney where he lost by major decision, 10-0.
Pederson closed his freshman year with a 44-20 record.
“Zach wrestled a great tournament also getting a win in the wrestle backs,” Chamblin said.
“He is young and I can see him being a force for us and being back at the state tournament the next three years.”
“Zach is just a kid that is determined and focused.”
Two Fliers’ efforts were spoiled at the state meet.
“Teague Bergjord had one of the toughest draws in the tournament and just came up short in his matches,” said Chamblin.
“He keeps closing the gaps on kids he’s wrestled multiple times. He has the drive and want and will be a great team leader next year.”
Bergjord opened state against the 120 lb. top seed Landon Flogstad of McCook Central/Montrose and lost a 10-0 major decision. Flogstad went on to be the 120 lb. runner up.
In the wrestlebacks, he faced Evan Folk of Sisseton and lost 11-4. He ended his season at 41-15.
Sophomore Tyton Peters wrestled tough the first round, but eventually fell to Aiden Novak of Mt. Vernon/Plankinton/Corsica-Stickney in a late match fall, 5:15. In the wrestlebacks, Peters lost to Randall Powers by fall, 1:49. Peters closed his first year of varsity wrestling with a record of 20-17.
“Peters, making his first state appearance after not wrestling for a while, showed strides and with some off season work, I can see him to be someone to be reckon with the next couple years.”
“Overall, I am super proud of this whole team…not just these five. It was a great year for Flandreau wrestling and this team is just starting to be a team with a force. We will be working in the off season and be ready and better next year,” he concluded.
