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Golden Eagles advance four girls to semis at Rapid City tourney

Aberdeen Central’s Avery Bendewald, top, works to take down Mitchell’s Allyson Tilberg, right, during their 107 pound quarterfinal match at last year's Region 3 Girls Wrestling Tournament at the Golden Eagles Arena. Bendewald advanced to the semifinals at a tournament in Rapid City on Friday. Photo by John Davis taken. 2/20/2025

RAPID CITY – Aberdeen Central put 10 wrestlers through to the second day of action at the Rapid City Girls Invitational, including four girls who advanced to the semifinals of their respective weight brackets following Friday’s day one competition at the Monument.

Central coach Jake Flakus noted that the Golden Eagles’ strong showing on Friday was exactly what he wanted to see after a disappointing result the day prior.

“We had a pretty tough loss (Thursday) against Spearfish in a dual, so I was waiting to see how we wrestled today,” he said. “Right off the bat, we went to work.”

Flakus said a lot of his girls had some come-from-behind victories, turning deficits into turns, back points and pins.

“We had a lot of girls losing in matches and finding a way to put that girl on their back and pin them,” he said.

Central’s semifinalists include Avery Bendewald (105 pounds), Jasmine Maas (115), Rakyrah Wallace (140) and Lilly Nelson (170).

Flakus also pointed out the efforts of a pair of Golden Eagle middle schoolers who secured big wins to advance to the second day of action.

Avyn Waldo (115) made the quarterfinals before falling into the consolation bracket today, while Paisley Stewart (100) bounced back from a mid-day loss to secure two victories in the consolations rounds to also make it to the second day.

“It was cool to see those two make it to the second day of a really big tournament,” Flakus said.

Flakus also said the girls’ tournament, which is held alongside the boys’ event, has grown into a premier early-season event. This year the boys’ tournament had just 30 more wrestlers than the girls’ event.

“It’s definitely a growing tournament,” he said. “Really good to see our girls at the top of the competition.”

100 – Paisley Stewart

Champ. Round 1 – Paisley Stewart (Aberdeen Central) 6-4 received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 2 – Paisley Stewart (Aberdeen Central) 6-4 won by fall over Zara Himanga (Beresford/Alcester-Hudson) 3-3 (Fall 0:47)

Champ. Round 3 – Maci Brouillette (Williston) 9-0 won by fall over Paisley Stewart (Aberdeen Central) 6-4 (Fall 2:23)

Cons. Round 4 – Paisley Stewart (Aberdeen Central) 6-4 won by major decision over Mira Wagner (Sioux Valley) 3-4 (MD 11-0)

Cons. Round 5 – Paisley Stewart (Aberdeen Central) 6-4 won by decision over Tatum Palsma (Bon Homme/Scotland/Avon) 3-3 (Dec 7-0)

100 – Lylah Irwin

Champ. Round 1 – Lylah Irwin (Aberdeen Central) 1-4 received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 2 – Kyra Vandenberg (Belle Fourche) 6-0 won by fall over Lylah Irwin (Aberdeen Central) 1-4 (Fall 1:07)

Cons. Round 2 – Lylah Irwin (Aberdeen Central) 1-4 received a bye () (Bye)

Cons. Round 3 – Lylah Irwin (Aberdeen Central) 1-4 won by fall over Kadee Kutz (Miller/Highmore-Harrold) 0-4 (Fall 2:38)

Cons. Round 4 – Bree Risse (Bennett County) 2-2 won by fall over Lylah Irwin (Aberdeen Central) 1-4 (Fall 1:50)

105 – Avery Bendewald

Champ. Round 1 – Avery Bendewald (Aberdeen Central) 5-2 received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 2 – Avery Bendewald (Aberdeen Central) 5-2 won by fall over Tesslyn Klaudt (Bismarck) 1-4 (Fall 0:33)

Champ. Round 3 – Avery Bendewald (Aberdeen Central) 5-2 won by fall over Fallan Whitaker (Pierre T.F. Riggs) 0-2 (Fall 0:32)

Quarterfinal – Avery Bendewald (Aberdeen Central) 5-2 won by fall over Savannah Rondell (Rapid City Central) 4-3 (Fall 3:59)

110 – Caylee Claymore

Champ. Round 1 – Caylee Claymore (Aberdeen Central) 0-4 received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 2 – Caylee Claymore (Aberdeen Central) 0-4 received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 3 – Kyliegh Schuller (West Central) 2-1 won by fall over Caylee Claymore (Aberdeen Central) 0-4 (Fall 1:08)

Cons. Round 4 – Averie Brehm (Rapid City Stevens) 5-3 won by fall over Caylee Claymore (Aberdeen Central) 0-4 (Fall 2:29)

115 – Jasmine Maas

Champ. Round 1 – Jasmine Maas (Aberdeen Central) 7-0 received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 2 – Jasmine Maas (Aberdeen Central) 7-0 won by fall over Abriannna Henderson (Williston) 0-2 (Fall 0:59)

Champ. Round 3 – Jasmine Maas (Aberdeen Central) 7-0 won by fall over Saraval McGregor (Kelly Walsh) 3-1 (Fall 0:30)

Quarterfinal – Jasmine Maas (Aberdeen Central) 7-0 won by fall over Gabrielle Nelson (St. Thomas More) 5-2 (Fall 3:21)

115 – Avyn Waldo 

Champ. Round 1 – Avyn Waldo (Aberdeen Central) 4-3 received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 2 – Avyn Waldo (Aberdeen Central) 4-3 won by fall over Dayani Long (Sioux Falls Washington) 4-4 (Fall 3:22)

Champ. Round 3 – Avyn Waldo (Aberdeen Central) 4-3 won by fall over Kymani Serrano Rivera (Rapid City Stevens) 1-2 (Fall 2:52)

Quarterfinal – Kaidynce Hand (Sturgis Brown) 8-0 won by fall over Avyn Waldo (Aberdeen Central) 4-3 (Fall 3:02)

120 – Arianna Goldade

Champ. Round 1 – Arianna Goldade (Aberdeen Central) 5-4 received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 2 – Evelyn Coughlin (Pierre T.F. Riggs) 2-2 won by fall over Arianna Goldade (Aberdeen Central) 5-4 (Fall 1:48)

Cons. Round 2 – Arianna Goldade (Aberdeen Central) 5-4 won by fall over Maria Mathern (Aberdeen Central) 1-4 (Fall 2:07)

Cons. Round 3 – Arianna Goldade (Aberdeen Central) 5-4 won by fall over Aine Graesser (Chamberlain) 0-2 (Fall 3:59)

Cons. Round 4 – Hailey Wall (Worland) 2-2 won by fall over Arianna Goldade (Aberdeen Central) 5-4 (Fall 1:49)

120 – Maria Mathern

Champ. Round 1 – Nevaeh Peters (Sturgis Brown) 3-4 won by major decision over Maria Mathern (Aberdeen Central) 1-4 (MD 17-4)

Cons. Round 1 – Maria Mathern (Aberdeen Central) 1-4 received a bye () (Bye)

Cons. Round 2 – Arianna Goldade (Aberdeen Central) 5-4 won by fall over Maria Mathern (Aberdeen Central) 1-4 (Fall 2:07)

125 – Say Ri 

Champ. Round 1 – Say Ri (Aberdeen Central) 0-4 received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 2 – Lola Borja (Williston) 4-4 won by fall over Say Ri (Aberdeen Central) 0-4 (Fall 1:24)

Cons. Round 2 – Say Ri (Aberdeen Central) 0-4 received a bye () (Bye)

Cons. Round 3 – Bristol Anderson (Sheridan) 1-2 won by fall over Say Ri (Aberdeen Central) 0-4 (Fall 1:35)

130 – Jayda Hoffman

Champ. Round 1 – Jayda Hoffman (Aberdeen Central) 4-4 received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 2 – Jayda Hoffman (Aberdeen Central) 4-4 won by fall over Jersey Lewis (Pierre T.F. Riggs) 2-4 (Fall 5:57)

Champ. Round 3 – Maggie Thielges (Bismarck) 6-1 won by fall over Jayda Hoffman (Aberdeen Central) 4-4 (Fall 0:32)

Cons. Round 4 – Jayda Hoffman (Aberdeen Central) 4-4 won by decision over Payton Olson (Lemmon) 2-4 (Dec 6-2)

Cons. Round 5 – Jillian Heisler (Spearfish) 2-3 won by fall over Jayda Hoffman (Aberdeen Central) 4-4 (Fall 4:13)

130 – Ellie Muller 

Champ. Round 1 – Ellie Muller (Aberdeen Central) 0-4 received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 2 – Brooklynn Baird (Sturgis Brown) 7-1 won by fall over Ellie Muller (Aberdeen Central) 0-4 (Fall 0:45)

Cons. Round 2 – Ellie Muller (Aberdeen Central) 0-4 received a bye () (Bye)

Cons. Round 3 – Ellie Muller (Aberdeen Central) 0-4 received a bye () (Bye)

Cons. Round 4 – Natalie Dreiske (Lemmon) 3-3 won by fall over Ellie Muller (Aberdeen Central) 0-4 (Fall 1:17)

135 – Mila Hobbs

Champ. Round 1 – Mila Hobbs (Aberdeen Central) 4-4 received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 2 – Mila Hobbs (Aberdeen Central) 4-4 won by fall over Elaina Sausedo (Natrona County) 0-2 (Fall 3:20)

Champ. Round 3 – Mila Hobbs (Aberdeen Central) 4-4 won by fall over Eleanor Jacobs (Sturgis Brown) 5-3 (Fall 4:47)

Quarterfinal – Lexie Hillmer (Pierre T.F. Riggs) 6-0 won by fall over Mila Hobbs (Aberdeen Central) 4-4 (Fall 0:58)

140 – Rakyrah Wallace

Champ. Round 1 – Rakyrah Wallace (Aberdeen Central) 6-1 received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 2 – Rakyrah Wallace (Aberdeen Central) 6-1 won by fall over Baw Eh (Huron) 1-5 (Fall 1:28)

Champ. Round 3 – Rakyrah Wallace (Aberdeen Central) 6-1 won by fall over Jocelyn Thoms (Lennox) 3-1 (Fall 0:12)

Quarterfinal – Rakyrah Wallace (Aberdeen Central) 6-1 won by decision over Kimberlyn Heisler (Spearfish) 5-3 (Dec 7-4)

140 – Katie Maack 

Champ. Round 1 – Katie Maack (Aberdeen Central) 5-5 received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 2 – Katie Maack (Aberdeen Central) 5-5 won by fall over Jessa Dykstra (Sioux Falls Jefferson) 1-1 (Fall 1:49)

Champ. Round 3 – Eliana Zent (Rapid City Stevens) 6-1 won by fall over Katie Maack (Aberdeen Central) 5-5 (Fall 1:19)

Cons. Round 4 – Katie Maack (Aberdeen Central) 5-5 won by fall over Ashley Camacho (Williston) 3-8 (Fall 0:51)

Cons. Round 5 – Bailey Mueller (Natrona County) 3-1 won by fall over Katie Maack (Aberdeen Central) 5-5 (Fall 2:08)

145 – Allison Neitzel

Champ. Round 1 – Allison Neitzel (Aberdeen Central) 4-3 received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 2 – Allison Neitzel (Aberdeen Central) 4-3 won by fall over Rose Stanislaw (Sheridan) 0-2 (Fall 0:56)

Champ. Round 3 – Allison Neitzel (Aberdeen Central) 4-3 won by fall over Karlie Balfanz (Campbell County) 2-2 (Fall 1:58)

Quarterfinal – Quinn Butler (Lemmon) 6-0 won by fall over Allison Neitzel (Aberdeen Central) 4-3 (Fall 1:16)

155 – Grace Reszler

Champ. Round 1 – Grace Reszler (Aberdeen Central) 5-3 received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 2 – Grace Reszler (Aberdeen Central) 5-3 won by major decision over Paisley Tolar (Campbell County) 1-2 (MD 16-6)

Champ. Round 3 – Grace Reszler (Aberdeen Central) 5-3 won by decision over Makita Raysor (Spearfish) 7-1 (Dec 13-8)

Quarterfinal – Madison Reems (Bismarck) 8-1 won by fall over Grace Reszler (Aberdeen Central) 5-3 (Fall 3:04)

155 – Lin Paw Jone

Champ. Round 1 – Lin Paw Jone (Aberdeen Central) 6-2 received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 2 – Lin Paw Jone (Aberdeen Central) 6-2 won by fall over Moraes May (Bennett County) 3-4 (Fall 0:18)

Champ. Round 3 – Lin Paw Jone (Aberdeen Central) 6-2 won by fall over Neva Austin (Hot Springs) 8-5 (Fall 1:39)

Quarterfinal – Kallie Bauer (Natrona County) 3-0 won by fall over Lin Paw Jone (Aberdeen Central) 6-2 (Fall 2:46)

170 – Lilly Nelson

Champ. Round 1 – Lilly Nelson (Aberdeen Central) 5-1 received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 2 – Lilly Nelson (Aberdeen Central) 5-1 won by fall over Evelyn Patceg (Sheridan) 3-1 (Fall 1:04)

Champ. Round 3 – Lilly Nelson (Aberdeen Central) 5-1 won by fall over Gracie Richter (Harding County) 5-4 (Fall 1:37)

Quarterfinal – Lilly Nelson (Aberdeen Central) 5-1 won by fall over Alexandra Monroe (Valentine Girls) 2-1 (Fall 3:40)

190 – Meleane Mounga

Champ. Round 1 – Meleane Mounga (Aberdeen Central) 0-2 received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 2 – Meleane Mounga (Aberdeen Central) 0-2 received a bye () (Bye)

Champ. Round 3 – Allison Konrad (Watertown) 6-0 won by fall over Meleane Mounga (Aberdeen Central) 0-2 (Fall 1:17)

Cons. Round 4 – Meleane Mounga (Aberdeen Central) 0-2 received a bye () (Bye)

Cons. Round 5 – Murielle Hagen (Sturgis Brown) 4-2 won by fall over Meleane Mounga (Aberdeen Central) 0-2 (Fall 2:40)

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