Jesse Trueblood and coach Dave Michaud celebrate moments after securing the South Dakota State A heavyweight title. COURTESY/Hotshots Photography LLC
STATE CHAMPION!!
By David Michaud and Brandon Ecoffey
Native Sun News Staff RAPID CITY — Pine Ridge High School’s 6’7” 275lb heavyweight is now the 2014 South Dakota Class A State Champion after coming from behind in dramatic fashion to win the title in sudden death overtime. Jesse Trueblood won with all eyes on him and a ton of expectations. The #1 rated wrestler in his weight class, Trueblood, carried the expectations of many in to the tournament. Despite this however he was cooler than the other side of the pillow as he would put forth a performance worthy of local lore. He would also take home the Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament, for his work during the two days where he beat the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th placed wrestlers. Coming into the tournament as the number one ranked wrestler in the state he was always going to get everyone's best shot, he just happened to save his best for when he needed it most. “It's tough to have everyone gunning for you. I just told him to have fun, that's what it's all about,” said Pine Ridge Head Coach Dave Michaud. “Have fun, push the pace and do the best you can.” In the finals, on Saturday March 1, in the Rapid City Civic Center under the spotlight, Trueblood started off the match about as bad as a wrestler can. In the second period, after picking top position, he got reversed and turned, giving up five points to second rated Sam Schaunaman of Aberdeen Central. For many people in the audience the 5 point cushion that Schaunaman had gained seemed to be more than the giant from Pine Ridge could overcome and those in attendance sensed an upset. “Going into the match I was thinking don't mess up but I messed up in the first and second period,” said Trueblood. Going into the third period down 5-0, Trueblood needed either big points or a pin. So he got to work. “The crowd got behind me and got me hooped up. Pretty much the whole Civic Center, except Aberdeen fans, were behind me and I thought ’just bring it’ and I did.” With both wrestlers in the neutral position, standing, Trueblood began attacking. Cheered on by his coach, who told him to “just keep attacking and good things will happen,” he scored a takedown within the first 30 seconds, but his momentum was immediately halted. Schaunaman had a bloody nose causing a pause in the action for the blood to be cleaned from the mat and the wound treated. While this was happening Trueblood, ever the performer, decided to get the crowd into his match. Down 5-2, he walked the mat and raised his hands in the air giving the crowd the signal to rise to their feet. In response the 4,000 fans in attendance rose to their feet for the remainder of the match in a deafening roar. “I was thinking I get a breather, then I just thought, ’should I do what Bull Dawg did when he won it and get the crowd into it,’ so I got the crowd more into it,” said Trueblood. Once the match started up again Trueblood allowed Schaunaman back up awarding 2 points to his opponent. With the crowd at his back Trueblood scored another takedown, this one bringing the score to 6-4. Knowing he would not be able to turn Schaunaman from his stomach to his back to secure more points or the pin, Trueblood again allowed him to escape, putting him down 7-4. With less than 40 seconds left Trueblood began to push the pace while aided by the roar of the bipartisan West River crowd who gravitated to Trueblood’s side after he asked them to rise earlier in the period. With 15 seconds left he finally secured his takedown, pushing the match to 7-6, it appeared to be not enough. Yet, with three seconds left, Schaunaman was called for stalling, his second call of the match and it gave Trueblood another point, enough to tie and send the match into overtime. The takedown and the stalling call sent the crowd into a frenzy. When overtime started Trueblood knew he had his opponent on the ropes, especially after taking him down three times in the last period. “In overtime I told myself to have fun, but get the takedown while doing it, so I just went at him with everything I had. I wanted to keep pushing him because I knew I was breaking him,” said Trueblood. He continued to push the pace and forced Schaunaman into a bad single-leg attempt. As Schaunaman snatched Trueblood’s leg he was able to keep his composure and turn positions, snapping the Aberdeen Central wrestler to the mat and securing the biggest takedown of his life. As Trueblood rose to his feet in celebration he was met by longtime Pine Ridge Wrestling coach Dave Michaud who leaped on to his star pupil’s back and road him like a bucking horse in front of those celebrating the victory. “First thing after that takedown I was like, ’what did I just win’ then I looked at Dave jumping around and it hit me that I just won state,” said Trueblood. After the match Trueblood was surprised when he became the first Pine Ridge wrestler ever to be awarded the Outstanding Wrestler award at the state tournament. The award is given to the wrestler who puts on the best performance during the tournament and, with his riveting finals performance, Trueblood ran away with the award, the first time he was ever given the award at any tournament in his career. “I got a lot of high fives and handshakes after. It felt good getting outstanding wrestler for once, I don't think many heavyweights ever got this at state” said Trueblood. Trueblood is the 3rd state champion produced by the Pine Ridge wrestling program while under the guidance of Dave Michaud Sr. (Contact the writers at staffwriter2@nsweekly.com)
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