Area swimmers qualify to compete in state meet The South Dakota State Championship Swim Meet was held on Feb. 28 and March 1-2 in Pierre with five Vermillion area swimmers competing under the direction of coach Matte Haacke.
Eight swimmers from the Vermillion area qualified for the meet. Justin Manning was a state champion in the 1650 free.
Results were:
9-10 Boys
Taylor Jensen � Fifth 100 fly; 10th 50 fly; 11th 100 IM, 12th 200 IM; 15th 100 breast; 16th 50 breast; 24th 50 free.
9-10 Girls
Stacie Kjelson ��Sixth 50 back; seventh 200 free; eighth 50 free; ninth 100 IM; 11th 50 fly; 14th 100 free.
11-12 Girls
Bailey Pons � Third 500 free, 200 free, 100 back; fourth 100 free; fifth 50 back, 100 fly, 200 IM.
Karissa Martin ��Fifth 50 free; 100 IM, 50 breast; seventh 200 free, 100 free; ninth 50 back; 10th 100 back.
17-18 Boys
Justin Manning � First 1650 free; second 200 back, 500 free; third 200 free, 100 back, 100 free; fourth 50 free.
by Jim Prosser
Kyle Hubert and Brad Simons represented Vermillion High School at the 2003 Class A State Wrestling Tournament Feb. 28-March 1 in Sioux Falls.
At 103 pounds, freshman Hubert placed fourth.
"Hubert had an outstanding tournament," said coach Casey O'Connor. "He eliminated mistakes, wrestled aggressively and was very offensive. He dealt with the pressure and performed at a level that can only be reached by the top competitors in the state. He will continue to have a tremendous wrestling career for Vermillion High School.
Senior Simons ended his wrestling career on Friday night during the first round wrestlebacks.
"During this match, Simons suffered a head wound that required immediate stitches, but only after the match," O'Connor said. "After the injury, I knew Brad was not himself. We cleaned him up the best we could so he could have an opportunity to win the match."
Simons lost by decision, but continued to wrestle to the very end, according to his coach.
"Simons will be missed greatly," O'Connor said. "He has contributed more than I could have ever expected from one of my wrestlers. His dedication and leadership was a critical element to our team's success.
"I would also like to thank all the parents and supporters for following the team this year and supporting us at every step along the way," he added.
State tournament results for Hubert and Simons were:
First round
103 � Hubert won by m ajor decision over Ryan Gebhard (RC Central) 10-1.
215 � Torey Garrett (Pierre) won by decision over Simons 6-4.
Quarter finals
103 � Shane Thomas (SFR) won by decision over Hubert 5-4.
First round wrestlebacks
215 � Dan Feltch(Watertown) won by decision over Simons 8-4.
Second round wrestlebacks
103 � Hubert WBF over Jacob Podoll (Lead) in 2:17.
Third round wrestlebacks
103 � Hubert won by decision over Corbin Surat (Ab. Central) 7-0.
Fourth round wrestlebacks
103 � Hubert won by major decision over Dustin Walraven (Huron) 15-1.
Finals for third/fourth
103 � Shane Thomas (SFR) won by decision over Hubert 6-5.
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