Kings of the Nation

Billy Drown

Published: Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008

By the slimmest of margins, the Custer High School wrestling team won the Lakota Nation Invitational wrestling tournament last weekend in Rapid City. The Wildcats edged the second place team by 1/2 a point. Four Wildcats won individual championships at th

        With the fate of the Lakota Nation Invitational (LNI) championship resting in his hands, Wildcat wrestler Tony Crackel didn’t freeze up. Crackel wrestling at 171, a good 15 pounds or so over his actual weight, which fluctuates between 155 and 158, seized the opportunity and snagged another win and the LNI championship trophy for the Custer Wildcats by the slimmest of margins 218-217.5 over New Town. Wildcat wrestling coach Eric Pingrey praised Crackel.  “He stepped up really big,” the coach said. “All the wrestlers stepped up big.” With Custer winning LNI by half a point, it no doubt shows that such a small margin of victory should produce a big boost to the Wildcat’s self-esteem. “This win lets the kids know they can compete. We know we are a young team and we know we have to compete against some older veteran teams. That becomes frustrating for us. By winning the LNI championship, it shows that we may be young, but that we are also a good team,” said Pingrey. With a win Crackel guaranteed a Wildcat championship. But if it wasn’t for the whole team, the championship may have fallen into the hands of another. “After we won the championship, I emphasized the teamwork aspect of it all to the wrestlers,” said Pingrey. “All the kids contributed to that half a point victory. If we would’ve had one less kid out there or less effort by any of the kids, we wouldn’t of came back to Custer with the championship trophy.” Pingrey said it was a joy to watch the Wildcats scrap it out on the mat. “Every Wildcat gave it their all and competed to their ability,” he said. “This win is a huge team builder for us. When the team is looking at the score and it shows that the team is relying on everyone, people step up.” Custer had four individual champions at the tournament: Soren Wahlstrom (112), Billy Alexander (125), Dylan Severyn (135) and Crackel (171). After a well-earned holiday break, the Wildcats to Newell for a duel on Jan. 8.