Perkins County wrestlers tackle season with strong early results
BY EMMALEE PARSLEY STEVENS
GRANT TRIBUNE SENTINEL
The Perkins County wrestling team opened the 2024-25 season with encouraging performances at two early-season tournaments, highlighted by strong individual finishes and a runner-up showing on the girls side.
Senior Haley Dunn began her season Dec. 5 at the Southwest Round Robin Invite in Bartley, finishing 2-3 on the day and placing fifth overall. Dunn bounced back the following day at the Perkins County Invite, where she earned a second-place finish to continue her early momentum.
The boys team competed Dec. 6 at the Perkins County Invite and saw several wrestlers reach the podium. Grayson Baumgartner placed second at 144 pounds, while Ryan Long also finished second at 157 pounds. Tyson Schwanebeck earned a third-place finish at 175 pounds, and Preston Schwanebeck captured the championship at 190 pounds.
Head coach Austin Thelander said the season is off to a positive start for a relatively young roster.
“The season is off to a good start,” Thelander said. “We have a total of 12 boys and 2 girls this season with a majority of the room being underclassmen. However, the juniors and seniors we do have on the roster have been able to push the younger kids and are prepared to get them ready for a long season ahead.”
Perkins County returns all four of last year’s state qualifiers, each competing at the same weight class as a year ago. According to Thelander, their experience has been valuable for the developing lineup.
“All four of last year’s State Qualifiers are not only returning this year but also returning at the same weight classes from last year,” he said. “Their presence is a big help for the younger kids in our wrestling room.”
Those returning qualifiers include Carson Green at 132 pounds after a solid freshman season, Preston Schwanebeck at 190 pounds after narrowly missing a state medal last year, Ernie Perez at 215 pounds entering his junior season, and Dunn at 190 pounds on the girls side as she looks to make another state run in her senior year.
Thelander said the team’s main emphasis this season is raising its overall intensity.
“The main focus as a team this year is intensity,” he said. “Last year was great getting four kids down to the tournament, but it also was an eye-opener to the first-time qualifiers that our intensity and pace is not where we needed to be compared to some other parts of the state.”
He added that the coaching staff and returning wrestlers are setting the tone for improvement.
“Coaches and the returning wrestlers will play the key part in upping that intensity in our wrestling room and setting a high bar for seasons to come,” Thelander said. “It will take everyone to buy in, and so far we’ve had a good start with more room yet to improve.”
Perkins County’s final competitions before Christmas break include the McCook Girls Invite on Dec. 18 in McCook, the Kimball Girls Invite on Dec. 19 in Kimball, and the Sutherland Boys Invite on Dec. 19 in Sutherland.