In late 2006, Columbia Pictures released Rocky Balboa which was the sixth installment of the classic Rocky franchise which was based on the premise of video game developers attempting to determine the outcome of a fictional boxing match between fighters from two different generations. Rocky Balboa well into his retirement is cast into a computer simulation against reigning heavy-weight champion Mason Dixon and based on complex algorithms and statistical calculations, the computer establishes that Balboa would win by knock-out over the current reigning world champion. This projected outcome becomes the premise of the film as Mason Dixon demands an exhibition to establish his legacy as one of the greatest heavy weight fighters of all time.
Similar arguments seem to surface in small towns and across generations around the country every day. Sport fans enjoy the opportunity to debate how current individual athletes or teams would fare against dominant teams of the past which are often rooted in individual connections that people have to their respective eras. Is Lebron James a more dominant player than Michael Jordan? Would the 1986 Bears defense be able to defend the high scoring offense of the 2011 New Orleans Saints? Could the 1976 Indiana Hoosiers Basketball team be able to hold their own against the legendary UCLA teams coached by John Wooden during the 1960 and 1970s? Void of computer simulations, the debate around such questions are difficult to answer, but are certainly entertaining for true sport fans to advance their respective arguments.
One such debate occurred following the conclusion of the 2015-16 wrestling season as the Pierre Governors finished their season with their second straight State Class A Championship and the second highest point total ever in SDHSAA history with 206 total team points. The team also boasted a record number of placers with 13 individual wrestlers placing at their respective weight classes, including four state champions and six overall finalists.
Although an impressive accomplishment, many in the community reflected upon the success of the 2012-13 Governor wrestling team that was anchored with six solid seniors, suggesting that they were clearly the more dominant team. Although no individual state champions were crowned on this team during the Class A State Tournament, four Governors advanced into the finals, and the team produced 13 state qualifiers, and 10 state place winners that were 6th or higher on the awards stand for their individual weights. One could easily contend that slightly different draws could have resulted in seven state finalists as Sarringar, Lettau and Bennett each squared off against eventual champions in either the quarterfinals of semifinals.
While many could concede that the 2015-16 Governors may have produced a stronger tournament team, lines were drawn early that in head-to-head dual competition the 2012-13 Governors would come out on top. Below is a breakdown of the head-to-head matchups for such an event assuming that each head coach would have their wrestlers compete at their designated weight classes (the # represent state placing at that respective weight class that year): - 106bls - #4 Spencer Sarringar vs. #1 Lincoln Turman
- 113lbs - #2 Jebben Keyes vs. #1 William Turman
- 120lbs - Blaine Geppert vs. #1 Michael Lusk
- 126lbs - Aaron O'Day vs. #3 Austin Senger
- 132lbs - #6 Tanner Monfore vs. #1 Jebben Keyes
- 138lbs - #2 Caleb Stoltenburg vs. #5 Aric Williams
- 145lbs - AJ Dorschner vs. Maguire Raske
- 152lbs - Alec Williams vs. #8 Lucas Stoltenburg
- 160bls - #3 Seth Scott vs. #6 Nick Wiebe
- 170bls - #2 Dawson Monfore vs. #7 Leesman
- 182lbls - #3 Kyle Sarringar vs. #2 Spencer Sarringar
- 195lbs - #2 Trey Maier vs.#8 Levi Stoltenburg
- 220lbs - #3 Lane Lettau vs. #2 Quinn Reimers
- 285lbs - #4 Dylan Bennett vs. #8 Ty Paulsen
The line-ups of these two teams included an impressive 10 state finalists and 13 other state place winners. For many in this debate, the outcome was evenly split across these two teams. Some had the teams facing off in head-to-head matchups at each weight. Others thought through various strategies that head coach Ryan Noyes and Shawn Lewis would use to forego points at certain weights to earn important swing victories to improve the teams chances for victory. I personally calculated an outcome of this dual in favor of the 2015-16 Governors team 21-27 which required giving a forfeit at 220lbs to Lane Lettau and bumping up Quinn Reimers to earn the 1-0 victory over Dylan Bennett at 285lbs. Most critical to the outcome of this dual was a projected overtime win by Spencer Sarringar against older brother Kyle Sarringar at the 182lb matchup. Without this win the outcome of the dual was a virtual tie at 24-24 for the two teams. In an effort to provide artificial intelligence with the information needed to assist in determining an unbiased final outcome of this critical matchup I went to their respective head coaches to identify the tangible and intangible qualities for each of these two talented Governor Wrestlers.
Kyle Sarringar
- Deceptively smooth and quick wrestler on his feet;
- Able to apply great pressure on his opponents on top who you could count on to get the pin;
- Took opponents from feet to back because of his raw power;
- Too strong to hold down and far to dangerous to cut;
- Quiet leader that everyone wanted to emulate on and off the mat.
Spencer Sarringar
- Controlled wrestler in all positions;
- Uncanny ability to scramble and wrestle through almost every position;
- Constant motion on top and bottom that wore out an opponent;
- Deceiving strength when opponents are forced to wrestle him for six minutes;
- Great role model and teammate who does everything the right way.
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