Even after an Eastern South Dakota Conference dual win over Brookings, the Mitchell wrestling team isn't satisfied.
The Kernels defeated the Bobcats 44-31 in the conference dual at the Mitchell High School gym on Tuesday. Mitchell notched two pins, two technical falls and one major decision in the win.
But Mitchell coach Travis Carpenter feels the Kernels can do better.
"It's nice to come out and get a win," Carpenter said. "Talking to the kids afterward, basically what I am waiting for is somebody to step up and do something they are not supposed to do. I think that's when we are going to take that next step. That's really what I am looking for."
Mitchell sophomore Kyler Bauder agreed.
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"It is great for the team and we are moving forward," Bauder said. "But we could make bounds in that dual. There's still more matches we can win and once we start winning those matches, it will be even better."
The Kernels were still pretty good on Tuesday. Bauder started a string of five straight wins for Mitchell as it took a 27-9 lead. Bauder posted a technical fall win over Brookings' Jaxon Bowes in the 120-pound match. Bauder said his pre-match preparation propelled him to the win.
"A lot of training goes into it," Bauder said. "You have to prepare mentally for that stuff, too."
Logan Sparks (132-pounds) and Carson Max (195) both recorded pins for the Kernels. Briggs Havlik (160) won by a technical fall and Cole Gehrke (138) won by a major decision.
The Kernels will compete in the River City Rumble in Chamberlain on Saturday.
"It will be an interesting tournament," Carpenter said. "Every team in our region is there except for Pierre. Then you have Harrisburg and Sioux Falls O'Gorman, who we haven't seen yet. So it will be a nice tournament for us."
