Tigers Finish Strong

The Harrisburg Wrestling team finished their season off at the South Dakota State Wrestling Tournament on February 25-27. The group exhibited a strong season and overall had a busier schedule than usual. Since COVID-19 regulations were put in place, schools pushed for duals rather than individual tournaments, which made the sport more team-based this year than years past. Under regulations, not only did the team’s schedule change but so did the way they practice. Wrestlers spent their practices wrestling in pods of four because of the goal to reduce contact between teammates. Chris Andre, the head coach at Harrisburg, expressed that his team adjusted very well to COVID-19 regulations; therefore, he had high hopes that it wouldn’t set them back from achieving their goals for the season. Junior wrestling teammates Ryan Hirschkorn and Ayden Viox shared similar goals to do well individually during season and State and achieve goals on the dual side of wrestling. 

Before the State Wrestling Tournament, Coach Andre shared what he wanted his team to achieve this season: “I have a lot of goals for the season, but the big goals for the Varsity team are number one qualify for the State Dual Tourney and place in the top four teams. Number two qualify all 14 Varsity wrestlers for the Individual State Tourney and place in the top six teams.” The team put a lot of effort into each and every practice and weight-lifting session during their season, and their effort could be seen in their final record, which reached 31-6. The team went to Regions to set up their position for State; here, 13 out of 14 wrestlers qualified for State, and the team qualified for the duals tournament. At State, not only did seven boy wrestlers place, but the Harrisburg Girls’ Wrestling program also had three athlete placers. To end State, the team placed third in duals and fifth overall with 118.5 points. The team had a great season and achieved their goals, even with COVID-19 guidelines, schedule changes, and practice adjustments.