Annual Bismarck Rotary Wrestling Tournament Again Loaded With Talent
1/6/2005 11:52:00 AM
Teams From North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Montana Will Compete Friday and Saturday at the Bismarck Civic Center
By Brandon Siem “Staff Writer
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Twenty-eight high school teams from four states will battle it out this Friday and Saturday at the 38th Annual Bismarck Rotary Wrestling Tournament in the Bismarck Civic Center in Bismarck, North Dakota.
Some of the best teams from North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Montana will be showcasing their talent. There are nine outstate teams competing at this year’s Rotary, the most in the 38-year history of the tournament. With so many quality wrestlers competing, winning this tournament can be as challenging as winning the state tournament from their respective states.
“This is the most prestigious tournament of the area and it is always interesting when you get interstate competition,” said Jim Haussler, athletics director of Bismarck public schools. “With so many out-of-state kids wrestling, some consider it harder to win than the North Dakota state tournament. “
The twenty-eight teams will be competing in individual competition. The points they earn throughout the tournament will be added up for a team score.
“The tournament is great for preparing teams for their end-of-season runs,” Haussler said.
North Dakota high school coaches know this tournament is one of the toughest in-state kids will face all season. Mixing talent from throughout various states adds to the excitement.
“There can be from five to eight kids who could win the whole thing at any weight,” said Gene Krebs, Minot High School head coach. “There are kids from different states that can make some noise, so you had better be ready to rock ‘n’ roll every match.”
Among the teams in the field ready to make some noise will be returning tournament champion Simley High School of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. Simley dominated last year, winning with 253.5 points, finishing 78 points ahead runner-up Bismarck, who finished with 175.5 points. The 253.5 points put up by the Spartans was the fourth-highest total in tournament history. Simley is currently ranked fourth in the state in AAA, Minnesota’s big school class.
Returning to the Bismarck tournament from last year for Simley will be seniors Seth Anderson, Mitch Millner and junior Bill Lundblad. Anderson walked through the tournament last year and placed first at 130. Millner placed third at 145 and Lundblad third at heavyweight.
“We lost four great seniors who all won titles last year,” said Simley’s head coach Will Short. “I expect we will have a tougher time this year.”
Simley has a 7-4 dual meet record so far this year. They lost three duals to out-of-state competition at the highly competitive Clash Duals and one dual to a talented Albert Lea (Minnesota) team. Simley recently defeated section rival Hastings High School and looks to use that win and this tournament to help key a push towards the postseason.
“We’re a little bit behind what we where we wanted to be at this time of year, but I think this tournament will get us in the right direction,” Short said.
Short feels the team they are bringing to Bismarck will be the most solid team they have assembled this year, but he knows other teams are coming prepared to put their best foot forward.
“There is some great wrestling over there in North Dakota, and it is good to get to get away from wrestling the same metro kids over and over again,” Short said.
For Chaska High School (Minnesota) head coach Jeff Piatz, it’s a bit of homecoming for the former Napoleon High School two-time state champion.
“I decided to enter the tournament because I grew up only 75 miles away from Bismarck and I knew that it would be a quality tournament,” said Piatz. “It will be nice to measure our team with those of some of the North Dakota teams. “
Piatz competed 5 ,½ years on varsity for Napoleon and placed five times in the state tournament. In addition to his state title Piatz claimed two fifth place finishes, and one runner-up finish. Napoleon also won the state team title in Piatz’s senior year in 1980. Piatz acknowledged it will be a bit nostalgic when his wrestlers go up against a kid from Napoleon.
“It will be very interesting if that happens head-to-head,” said Piatz. “I have not seen Napoleon wrestle since my brother wrestled in the state tournament in (the mid 1980’s). The head coach was the assistant for Napoleon when I was a senior and I have a great amount of respect for him. His assistant now was one of my teammates and good friends. I look forward to seeing them again and also competing against them. They will have a good team. “
2005 ENTRANTS
North Dakota Teams: Beulah, Bismarck, Century, St. Mary’s, Dickinson, Mandan, Minot, Turtle Mountain, Williston. Fargo North, Fargo South, Grand Forks Central, Grand Forks Red River, Jamestown, Valley City, Wahpeton, West Fargo, Napoleon
South Dakota Teams: Aberdeen, Rapid City Central, Rapid City Stevens, Spearfish.
Minnesota Teams: Chaska, Detroit Lakes, Inver Grove Heights Simley.
Montana Teams: Glendive Dawson County, Sidney.
2004 Top 10 Team Standings
1. Simley, MN 253.5
2. Bismarck 175.5
3. Frazee, MN 160
4. Sidney, MT, 137
5. Dickinson 119.5
6. Fargo South 109.5
7. Napoleon, 107
8. Wahpeton 102
9. Rapid City Stevens, SD 101.5
10. West Fargo 89
Returning Individual Champions
103: Corbin Surat, Aberdeen, S.D. (returns at 112).
112: Jake Mellmer, Dickinson, N.D. (returns at 130).
119: T.J. Sailer, Bismarck, N.D. (returns at 125):
130: Seth Anderson, Simley, MN (returns at 135).
145: Gresh Melby, Sidney, MT (returns at 160).
171: Chris Moran, Rapid City Stevens, S.D. (returns at 189).
Past Team Champions
1967-68 through 1970-71: No team scores.
1971-72: Bismarck. 1972-73: Bismarck. 1973-74: Bismarck. 1974-75: Bismarck. 1975-76: Bismarck. 1976-77: Bismarck. 1977-78: Bismarck. 1978-79: Bismarck. 1979-80: Bismarck. 1980-81: Bismarck.
1981-82: Mandan. 1982-83: Bismarck. 1983-84: Bismarck. 1984-85: Century. 1985-86: Bismarck. 1986-87: Century. 1987-88: Century. 1988-89: Bismarck. 1989-90: Bismarck. 1990-91: Bismarck.
1991-92: Bismarck. 1992-93: Minot. 1993-94: Century. 1994-95: Century. 1995-96: St. Michael-Albertville, Minn. 1996-97: Jamestown. 1997-98: Jamestown. 1998-99: Frazee, Minn. 1999-2000: Frazee, Minn. 2000-01: Bismarck.
2001-02: Frazee, Minn. 2002-23: Frazee, Minn. 2003-04: Simley, Inver Grove Heights, Minn.
Tournament Schedule
Friday
10:30 a.m. – First round begins, followed by second round, quarterfinals, and first and second round wrestlebacks, all on 8 mats; 5:30 p.m. Championship semifinals begin (4 mats).
Saturday
10 a.m. — Third round wrestlebacks (8 mats), followed by fourth round (8 mats) and fifth round (3 mats) wrestlebacks and third and fifth-place matches; 2 p.m. — Championship, third place, fifth place and seventh place matches (4 mats).
Wrestling Gear
