Local wrestler second place in State Tourney

Ipswich-Bowdle wrestler Sophia Knittel placed second in the Girls Division of the State Wrestling Tournament last week in Sioux Falls.

Sophia, an IHS seventh grader, was the only 7th grader in her bracket - G126. I-B wrestling coach Robbie Williams said Sophia was one of just two seventh grade wrestlers to make the championship match.

Sophia's first win was by fall over Allison Neitzel of Aberdeen Central. Then she won her quarterfinal match 4-3 against Brooklynn Baird of Sturgis Brown, the #2 seed. Sophia won her semifinal match against the #3 seed (Mathilde Matsuda of Spearfish) 6-5.

In the finals Sophia wrestled the #1 seed 40-0 sophomore Regina Stoeser of Harrison. Sophia lost by fall 5:29.

"She finished the season 17-4 and will compete for Team South Dakota in Des Moines, Iowa on April 4-7 in a dual tournament against the surrounding states," said Williams.

To make the state tournament the girls have to compete throughout the season to earn a top 16 seed, based of the SDHSAA seeding formula. To earn a top 16 seed and a bid to the state tournament you must wrestling competitively and win matches against other top girls at your weight across the state, according to Williams. Sophia went into the tournament as the #7 seed with a record of 14-3.

IHS senior Kadyn Weisser also competed in the State B Tournament in the 215 division. This was Kadyn's third straight State Tournament competition.

His first round was against the eventual 215 state champion Levi Wieman of Parker. Kadyn lost by fall 2:12. Then he lost his second round match by fall in 2:59.

Kadyn finished the season 27-17.