Watertown Warriors Dominate in State Wrestling Championships!

WATERTOWN — It wasn't just one, but rather two Watertown High School wrestling teams that pieced together very successful seasons once again in 2025-26. Watertown's boys finished third in Class A in both the state duals and individual wrestling tournaments and Watertown's girls, in only their fourth year of competing, finished second in the state individual tournament for their highest finish ever. "I'm extremly proud of the team this season," Watertown boys coach Chas Welch said.

"We battled injuries and sickness all season, but the boys found a way to put it together at the right time and be in the hunt at the end of the seaosn when it matters most. " 2026 STATE INDIVIDUAL WRESTLING: Watertown girls finish second, boys third in state wrestling tourney Watertown's girls made a run at their first state championship despite filling only eight of the 14 weight classes. "It was a great season.

Second wasn't the result the ladies wanted but they know they hung with the best in the state with very few girls," Watertown girls coach Dexter Gaikowski said. Final statistics on the WHS wrestling teams can be found online at www. thepublicopinion.

com . Here's a wrap of the season for each team: Watertown's boys Regular-season highlights for the Arrow boys included a 4-0 record in the Marv Sherrill Duals at home in early December; runner-up finishes in the Floyd Farrand Invite at Sioux Falls in late December, Lee Wolf Invite at Aberdeen in late January and Yankton Invite in early February; third-place finishes in the Rapid City Invite in December and Jerry Opbroek Invite at Mitchell in January; and a fourth-place finish in the Bismarck (N. D.