Athlete of the week: Assman’s three pins lead to title at Kimball wrestling tournament

WINNER — Scott Assman dominated his 195 weight class en route to a first-place finish Saturday at the Kimball wrestling tournament.

“I just came out wrestled my hardest and tried to get as many points as I could for my team,” Assman said.

The junior pinned all three of his opponents, including two first-period pins, and helped his team finish third in the tournament, behind Phillip and Wagner High School.

He pinned Wagner’s Jacob Kvigne in 40 seconds in his first match, knocked off Jacob Fouberg, of Wessington Springs/ Woonsocket/Wolsey-Wessington with a 1:12 fall and beat Philip Area’s Gavin Devries in the title match with a 3:11 pin.

For his efforts Assman has been named The Daily Republic’s athlete of the week, an award that’s voted on by the newspaper’s sports staff.

“Scott is a kid who has really worked hard,” Winner wrestling coach Matt Chambers said. “He was a kid who was able to fight his way into state tournament last year, and that success has carried over to this year. He is really confident and he had some really big goals this year and he is working hard to meet them.

“His wins were a huge help to the team. When you have a guy at the back end of your lineup that can not only win matches, but give you pins, it gives your team a big boost.”

Assman did not place at the state tournament last year, but helped his team to a fifth-place finish. Off the mat, Chambers said Assman is constantly joking around with his teammates. His demeanor on the mat is a little different.

“Scott is a little bit of a brawler-type wrestler,” Chambers said. “He is pretty aggressive, pretty strong and will push you around and set the tone of the match that way. He keeps himself in good position and he is going to make you earn everything you get on the mat.”

Assman, who credits his coaches for helping him improve, believes his work in the offseason and his time on the 11B state champion Winner football team has played a major role in his success so far this season.

“All summer long, I tried to go to as many camps as possible,” Assman said. “That helped me improve, and playing football and being on a state championship team gave me the confidence and skills I needed.”

Tags: sports, winner, wrestling, updates