Kimball/White Lake/Platte-Geddes' Spencer Hanson, Kasen Konstanz execute game plans in state championship wins

Jeremy Karll, The Daily Republic, Mitchell, S.D.
·3 min read

Feb. 28—RAPID CITY — Kimball/White Lake/Platte-Geddes' state champions are on the different ends of their prep wrestling career.

Spencer Hanson concluded his career on Saturday at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, taking down McCook Central/Montrose's Jacobi Krouse, 8-4, to win the 182-pound state championship. And then there's Kasen Konstanz, a freshman, who upset Winner Area's top-seeded Maxton Brozik, 7-1.

"It's amazing to be a state champion, but honestly it hasn't clicked in my head yet that it's over," Hanson said. "I'm just more happy about winning it. I'm sure later tonight I'll get a little sad that it's over, but I'm glad I came out on top."

Hanson (38-3) took second place at 160 pounds last season, but the motivating factor was less about the loss in the title match and more about accomplishing a goal he now saw as attainable.

In a heavier weight class, Hanson became a more technical wrestler, who tried to push the pace against bigger opponents. On Saturday, he tried to avoid Krouse's early throws, and then only grew more confident when he escaped the first period tied, 0-0.

Hanson took fake shots, and as he has done all season, became methodical with when he attacked. He had three takedowns and a reversal in the win, showing why he felt comfortable with the transition to 182 pounds.

"All the time and hard work paid off," Hanon said. "Last match of my career and I came out with it. Been working all year for it."

Meanwhile, Konstanz will have three more cracks at adding to the state championship he won on Saturday. His only loss during a 35-1 campaign came to Brozik, as they split their regular-season matches.

Konstanz executed his game plan, helping him score a first-period takedown to take control of the match. He added another takedown and a three-point near fall in the third period.

"I was trying to take him down without getting in ties," said Konstanz, who placed sixth last year. "It worked in the end. I ended up winning because of it."

Konstanz will become the lone returning state champion next season in KWLPG's wrestling room. And while he was relieved to win on Saturday, he doesn't want it to be the high mark of his prep career.

"Next three years, try to be a four-timer," Konstanz said. "Try to be one of those few that wins it all four years."

KWLPG, BHSA crown girl wrestler state champions

RAPID CITY — Bon Homme/Scotland/Avon walked away on Saturday with a pair of individual champions on the girls side.

Brittany Rieb won via an 8-0 major decision over Mount Vernon/Plankinton/Corsica-Stickney's Alexis Hauge at 112 pounds. BHSA's second winner came at 129 pounds, as Peyton Hellman pinned Iroquois/Doland's Reganne Miles in 1 minute.

Kimball/White Lake/Platte-Geddes also had a champion in Kiana Major, who pinned Canton's Carly Ballinger in 1 minute, 13 seconds. KWLPG's Akane Metcalfe took fourth place at 112 pounds, as well.

Lyman had a fourth-place finisher in Kennadee Shook at 140 pounds.