The Britton-Hecla wrestling squad accomplished something that hadn’t been done in 21 years on Saturday, placing three wrestlers at the state Class B tournament in Sioux Falls and also bringing home a 14th place team finish.
Senior Bryce Hawkinson placed second at 150 pounds, junior Ben Suther was fifth at 175, and senior Tucker Hardy was sixth at 190. Five matmen qualified for the big dance, the highest total in a number of seasons. Sophomores Lincoln Kilker at 106 and Tanner Atkinson at 138 rounded out the state contingent.
The Braves hadn’t had three state placers since 2005 when Greg Williamson was second, Luke Nordquist was fifth, and Brandon Hagen eighth. In fact, it’s just the third time in school history that the school has had three state placers. B-H also accomplished the feat in 2004 when Greg Williamson was sixth, and Nordquist and Tyler Kann both placed eighth.
Hawkinson, who finished the season at 33-6 and wrapped up his prep career with a 175-46 mark, pulled off one of the biggest comebacks in the tournament. He was facing a 9-0 deficit after the second period in his semifinal match before battling back with three takedowns to cut the margin to 11-9 and had four back points coming before sticking the pin to earn his championship berth.
Then he nearly pulled off the same thing in the title match. Wrestling Ryken Orel from Winner, who had beaten him 13-4 a year ago in the quarterfinals, Hawkinson was down 4-0 in the closing seconds. He scored a takedown to cut the margin to 4-3 but ran out of time.
The second place finish was a little extra special for B-Head Coach Josh Hawkinson, Bryce’s Dad. Josh placed in the state tournament three straight years (1997-99) for the Braves, also placing second in his senior season.
“As a dad you only want more for your kids than what you had, and I believe what he’s accomplished in the sport of wrestling is beyond whatever I dreamed of as a five-time state qualifier and two-time placer (also seventh a year ago). He jumped into my arms after that semifinal win and that’s a memory I will take with me forever.”
Suther, who finished his year at 41-8, also kept fans on the edge of their seats, posting overtime wins in his first two matches before falling in the semifinals to eventual unbeaten champion Wyatt Anderson of Parkston. It was his second state tourney appearance, placing eighth a year ago.
“Ben wrestled two tight matches and then went up against the number one seed,” noted Hawkinson. “We had put together a game plan against him and I believe it was working like we thought it would until it didn’t. But after that he never quit and came back to finish fifth.”
Hardy wrapped up his prep career with a 42-12 season record, was 171-55 overall, and a three-time state qualifier with an eighth place finish in 2024.
“Tucker lost in the quarterfinals so he had to come in the back door with an extra match,” said Hawkinson. “He went out and gave it everything he had and fought back to earn a sixth place finish.”
Kilker and Atkinson did not place but both won a match. Kilker battled back from a first round loss with a 9-0 decision in the wrestlebacks. Atkinson scored a first round pin before falling in his next two matches.
Hawkinson hopes that the Braves’ success this season will help lay a foundation for continued success in the future.
“The kids had a heck of a year and I think what they accomplished this season shows that we are heading in the right direction,” said the B-H boss. “I started coaching these kids in the youth room and knew they were a special group. I’ve only been the head coach for eight years but this was 14 years in the making. After I quit coaching the youth Mike Atkinson took over for a few years, and now we’re back together with him being my assistant.”
Hawkinson and Hardy are the only two seniors on the Braves’ roster this season, and Coach Hawkinson sees a lot of promise in his younger charges.
“I believe we have enough talent in the room to send another five, if not more, next year,” he predicted. “I don’t see much change for next season. The kids that were down there watching from our team were excited and I hope it will make them hungry to get into those placing matches. It’s an atmosphere like no other.”
FOR FULL STATS, SEE THIS WEEK'S JOURNAL.
