True Family Affair for Governor Wrestling Program

South Dakota has a rich history in the sport of wrestling where a long line of brothers have been influential in building dominant programs for their respective communities.  The Wallman's from Freeman kicked off a winning tradition as Troy and Kirk began winning state titles in the mid-1980's which extended through the mid-1990's when their younger brother Cory finally graduated.  More recently, the Glanzer's from Huron helped elevate their program as Cord began making state tournament appearances for the Tigers in the early 2000's, and the presence of a Glazer made for solid Huron teams until both Cain and Chet graduated just a few years ago.  While it is evident that this trend isn't restricted to the sport of wrestling, it's not uncommon for many opposing teams to wonder when the time will come when they can travel to Kimball, Tri-Valley, or Aberdeen and finally avoid match-ups against the Blasius, Lamer or Moore brothers that seem to anchor their teams for more than a decade.

The Governor seniors, four of which cap off a long line of successful wrestlers in the Governor Wrestling Program for more than 10 years.

At the conclusion of the 2017 Class A State Wrestling tournament, the Pierre Governor Wrestling program will be missing the presence of three wrestling families that have established a commanding presence and helped lay the foundation for teams that have won four of the last five state titles. "When you look back to the beginning, of the rise of the Governors, during the Coach Noyes era these families were there," said assistant coach John Wayne Kalda.  "They understand the heart and soul of what it takes to compete at that next level.  And if others are willing to listen they are not afraid to share and give some insight.  They will be missed, but true wrestling fans like them usually can't stay away for too long."

For the Sarringar family in particular, Friday will mark the 12th straight state tournament appears for a member of their family dating back to 2006 when Tyler Sarringar competed for the Governors at 106lbs and made five straight appearances before placing 5th as a senior at 152lbs in 2010. Tyler went on to wrestle for DWU, advancing to the NAIA National tournament all four years.  The following year Kyle Sarringar made his first trip to the big dance where finished he finished 4th at 145lbs, and helped secure a 4th place team finish for the Governors. During the next two years, Kyle twice placed third as he joined six other seniors who helped the Governors win back-to-back state titles in 2012 and 2013. Included on that 2013 team was Spencer Sarringar who placed 4th at 106lbs, who was able to join Kyle on the award stand at the end of the tournament. "Since it was my first high school state tournament, he gave me a lot of support," said Spencer Sarringar about his opportunity to compete with Kyle.  "I think I was probably less nervous because he was competing with me.

This Sarringar brother tandem was a focus of an earlier Gov Wrestling Blog that forced fans to consider the outcome of a dual against the 2013 and 2016 Governor Wrestling teams.  Spencer and Kyle Sarringar would have faced off against each other at the 182lbs weight class with this particular blogger projecting an overtime win by Spencer.  The jury is still out on the projected winner of that match-up. Since the 2013 season, Spencer has placed 8th, 3rd and was a runner-up last year and currently ranked #1 in Class A at 195lbs where he has yet to lose to a South Dakota opponent.  About why he chose wrestling as the particular path he pursued in the winter, Spencer Sarringar concluded "When I was really young, I would go to youth tournaments to watch them wrestle.  When I was old enough, I started wrestling since I was going to the tournaments anyway.  If they had played basketball in their younger years, I might not have started wrestling at all."  

Spencer Sarringar with his holder brothers Kyle (immediate right), and Tyler (far right) along with parents Bill & Joanne and sister Nicole. 

Also during this time, the Governor teams were aided by four Stoltenburg wrestlers who have each contributed considerable team points over the past 11 years.  Beginning with Josh Stoltenburg who first advanced to the state tournament his freshman year in 2008 where he finished 5th.  Josh followed that up with two 7th place finishes his junior and senior year ultimately helping the Governors place 5th in 2010 and 4th in 2011.  Josh also overlapped with his younger brother Caleb Stoltenburg during his final two seasons as he placed 6th and 4th during his freshmen and sophomore seasons. Caleb became the only Governor to advance into the finals his Junior year when the Governors earned their first state title since 1974.  The following year, Caleb finished his career as a Governor with a runner-up finish helping to secure the back-to-back titles. While the final two brothers did not overlap with Caleb, Lucas and Levi Stoltenburg have each maintained roster stops for the Governors over the past three years with Lucas placing 8th in both 2015 and 2016, and Levi finishing 8th last year.  Both Lucas and Levi Stoltenburg enter their final state tournament rated 4th and 5th respectively. 

For the past two years Ty Paulsen has anchored the Governor wrestling line-up at the 285lbs weight class and returns to State coming off a 8th place finish last year. Paulsen is current rated 6th at this weight class in the final rankings.  Its difficult for many to conceptualize how the 6'5" Paulsen could be related to former Governor Dusty Paulsen who won a State Championship his senior year in 2011 at 125lbs.  Dusty had previously finished 4th as a junior on the 2010 Governor team that also made the podium with a 5th place finish following almost a decade long drought of placing as a team. Dusty went on to wrestle at DWU and earn NAIA All-American honors during his wrestling career at that institutions, and has served as a volunteer assistant coach for the Governors for the past two years. "It will be tough when you think ahead to not seem them at every dual or tournament in the future," said assistant coach John Wayne Kalda.  "Each of these families have vested a lot of time to this program not only in support of the high school, but still are involved in the youth.  They care a lot about the success not only of their son but others as well, and want to see the program continue on the same path it is now."

Ty Paulsen (center) is flanked by Faye and Kevin Paulsen and his older brother Dusty (right) after the 2016 State Class A Tournament. 

Finally, Aric Williams will enter the Class A State Tournament this weekend as the #2 rated wrestler at 145lbs and looks to finish his career on the podium for the third time.  Williams placed 6th as a freshman at 113lbs, and then 5th last year at 138lbs.  As a freshman, Aric competed alongside his older brother Alec who was a two time state qualifier for the Governors which included a roster spot at the 152lb weight class when they won the 2013 state tournament.  Together Aric and Alec helped the Governors to a runner-up finish in 2014 where they outperformed a Sioux Falls Roosevelt team that was expected to finish in the runner-up spot that year.  When asked to reflect on the opportunity to wrestle with his older brother, Aric Williams noted "I wanted us both to place that year, and when I won in the wrestle backs to advance I was ready to watch him do it to.  However, when I watched him lose his match to place I was heartbroken, and from that day on I knew I was going to win a state championship for him." Fortunately for the Governors, the wrestling team can count on at least five more years of William's brothers as current 7th graders Nathan and Noah have visions of their own state championship runs. 

Aric Williams poses with his twin brothers Noah and Nathan, and older brother Alec following his championship in Brookings. 

"Having brothers in the program is a special thing," said Lewis when reflecting on the loss to the Governor Wrestling program from three of these families.  "It gives them someone else in the room or at home that understands what they do and what it takes.  Sometimes it even gives them a practice partner or another coach.  They support, council, and help one another.  It also makes for some interesting competition points."  Fortunately for the Governors this family connection will not end this year.    Will Van Camp looks to compete alongside his twin brother Jack as they finish out their high school career for the next three years, and Garrett Leesman has two years before the string of Leesman brothers concludes as he fills in for older brothers Skyler and Wyatt who graduated in 2016 and 2015 respectively.  Lincoln and William Turman will finish off their prep careers next year, but will have their younger brother Gabe to fill any gap for five more years.

Lincoln and William Turman pose with their parents Shelly and Paul, and younger brother Gabe, at the conclusion of the 2016 Class A Wrestling Tournament.