Munoz fourth at Bride of the Monster
Hill City High School Ranger wrestler Daisy Munoz placed fourth at the 2025 Mid Dakota Bride of the Monster tournament Jan. 11 at Lyman High School in Presho.
“She had a solid tournament. There were a lot of rated girls in her weight class. All season we’ve wrestled 152 (pounds), and this tournament we wrestled 145 (pounds). She just got to see herself wrestle a different group of people, and I think that’s a good mid-season confidence boost,” said head coach Josh Robison. “It’s a tough tournament to place at.”
Munoz went 3-2 and scored 16 points for the Rangers. She received a bye in the championship round one. For the quarterfinal, Lakynn Qualseth of Canton won by fall over Munoz at 1:22. In the consolation round two, Munoz won by fall over Neva Austin of Hot Springs at 1:49. For the consolation round three, Munoz won by fall over Kyla Lee of Lead-Deadwood at 2:27. In the consolation semi, Munoz won by fall over Maddie Feiock of Viborg-Hurley-Irene-Wakonda at 1:43.
Finally, in the third place match, Qualseth again won by fall over Munoz at 1:56.
On Jan. 10, the Ranger boys competed in the 2025 Mid Dakota Monster tournament at Lyman High School in Presho.
“It’s a tough tournament to be in. So I think they got to see a higher level of wrestling, and it really got to push them,” said Robison.
Cory Ronish went 2-2 in the 126-pound weight class and scored seven points for the Rangers.
In the championship round one, Cody Zell of Kingsbury County won by fall over Ronish at 1:59. Ronish received a bye in the consolation round one. For the consolation round two, Ronish won by fall over Dominic Warrior of Pine Ridge at 3:38. In the consolation round three, Ronish won by fall over Zack Booth of Hot Springs at 2:24. Then, in the consolation round four, Walker West of Pierre won by fall over Ronish at 0:36.
“Cory was one match away from making it to day two and getting into the placing rounds, but he just ran into a solid wrestler, which is pretty normal for that tournament,” said Robison.
Justin Malone went 1-2 in the 132-pound weight class and scored four points for the Rangers.
In the championship round one, Malone won by fall over Blazen Stiefvater of Hot Springs at 4:43. For the championship round two, Gannon Gilligan of Kingsbury County won by fall over Malone at 2:31. Then, in the consolation round two Tayden Pechota of Winner won by tech fall over Malone at 4:29.
Caleb Garcia went 1-2 in the 215-pound weight class and scored 3.5 points for the Rangers.
In the championship round one, Evan Bartels of Winner won by fall over Garcia at 0:37. Garcia received a bye for the consolation round one. In the consolation round two, Garcia won by tech fall over Cassius DuMarce of Sisseton at 3:12. Then, in the consolation round three, Easton Meyer of McCook Central-Montrose won by fall over Garcia at 1:53.
Rhys Skernick went 0-2 in the 190-pound weight class. He received a bye in the championship round one. In the championship round two, Maddox Hammerlun of O’Neill won by fall over Skernick at 1:51. Then, in the consolation round two, Will Erk of Newell won by fall over Skernick at 1:43.
Andres Hernandez went 0-2 in the 285-pound weight class. He received a bye in the championship round one. In the championship round two, Gabe Reeve of St. Thomas More won by fall over Hernandez at 1:27. Hernandez received another bye in the consolation round two. For the consolation round three, Samuel Valle of Pierre T.F. Riggs won by fall over Hernandez at 1:25.
When asked what the focus of practice would be this week, Robison said, “When we got our opportunities on top this week, we just weren’t putting a lot of pressure on people and just kind of putting ourselves out of position and giving up reversals or escapes. So I think this week we’re really going to focus on putting pressure on from the top and staying in control of the match.”
Next, the Rangers are hosting the Black Hills Conference Tournament at the Gins Gym and Bob Burden Gymnasium Saturday, Jan. 18. The girls will compete at 10 a.m., and the boys will compete at 1 p.m.
“I think they’re excited and nervous to wrestle in front of a home crowd, but I think that’s always a fun thing for the kids to be able to compete in front of people that aren’t necessarily always running to Presho, South Dakota or Gordon-Rushville,” said Robison. “I think being able to compete in front of your community is always exciting for them.”
Robison encouraged community members to come down and support the Rangers during the tournament.
“It’s a small tournament compared to the Black Hills Classic, but I think it’s a good opportunity to come support your wrestlers in general,” said Robison.