NEW: MCCONNIEL TO MAKE HISTORY THIS WEEK
JEREMY WALTNER – PUBLISHER
A Marion freshman will write a new chapter in the Marion/Freeman wrestling book this week.
Emma McConniel will be the first Rebel to compete in the girls bracket of the State Wrestling Tournament when she takes the mat in the 106 lb. weight divison on Thursday, Feb. 24. McConniel, 8-8, will face Meredith Ramacher, 16-14, a junior from Hot Springs, in the first round. McConniel earned a spot in state tournament thanks to her showing during the regular season; the girls who qualified did not do so through a traditional regional bracketed tournament like the boys, but rather because of their in-season showing.
McConniel is seeded sixth in the 106 lb. class.
“I didn’t expect her to be that high, but she won a couple big matches last week that really pushed her up,” said head coach Chris Sayler. “She’s got a great shot now.”
Girls wrestling is in its second year as a sanctioned sport through the South Dakota High School Activities Association. Whereas last year most of those who wrestled earned an automatic bid for state, Sayler said this year the numbers grew to a point where only those deserving found a place in the bracket.
“It’s exciting,” he said of the opportunity for girls, noting specifically McConniel and Marion sophomore Sarah Cremer who joined her on the mat this season. “It’s great that they’re pioneers in our girls program; hopefully we can just keep building.”
The girls matches — Class B and Class A wrestlers all wrestle together — will be rolled into the set schedule for this year’s tournament, which will be held at the Premeir Center in Sioux Falls Feb. 24-26, with only the team duals the final day.
