SALEM, S.D. — The McCook Central/Montrose wrestling team is feeling the impact of positivity and attitude driving hard work and success.
Jackson and Weston Remmers are major reasons why that’s happening for the Fighting Cougars this season. Jackson Remmers is ranked No. 1 in the 152-pound weight class with a record of 37-0, while Weston Remmers is No. 6 at 170 pounds in this week’s Dakota Grappler rankings with a record of 24-4.
When asked about why they are having individual and team success this season, both brothers — Jackson is a junior and Weston is a sophomore — said the team is bringing the right attitude to practice every day and that’s carrying over to the competition mat.
“I think we’re all working hard and buying in,” Jackson said. “I feel like the attitude with the team has been a lot better this year.”
“Expectations for us were high, to be good this year,” MCM wrestling coach Scott Andal said. “They know it and these two brothers have accepted that role in leading our team.”
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For Jackson Remmers, already with a state championship in hand, he’s taken on a larger role as a leader for the MCM squad. He’s one of three wrestlers in Class B in South Dakota with an undefeated record and more than 30 wins, joined by Canton’s Tanner Meyers and Burke/Gregory’s Owen Hansen, who wrestle at 195 and 132 pounds, respectively.
Jackson Remmers said his motivation is simple, driven by the photos of MCM’s state champions on the wall of the room. Remmers was a state champion in 2021 at 132 pounds, before taking second place last season at 145 pounds facing Winner Area’s Kaden Keiser in one of the premier Class B title-round matches.
“Every day, I see my picture on the wall and that’s what I want to feel again,” he said. “That’s my motivation.”
Weston has placed at the state tournament three times, including in third last year. His brother’s success is a big motivation for where the Fighting Cougar wants to be.
“He pushes me a lot,” Weston Remmers said. “I always strive to be as good as him. It’s a good feeling. … Growing up, we’ve always been practice partners and pushing each other. When we were younger, we would get into it pretty good.”
Each of the brothers has been wrestling since they were 6 years old, yet both wrestlers have shown their share of improvement, Andal said. He credits Jackson’s improvement with his technique, which improved over the last two seasons, moving over 200 career wins earlier this season. Weston cleared the 100-win mark in his career this season, as well.
“Jackson, his technique is definitely so much more advanced, even compared to where it was a year ago or two years ago,” Andal said. “Wes, his attitude is great, and he’s starting to get after it in the tough matches. Wes is laid back compared to Jackson on the mat but this year, he’s found a way to win those matches.”
It is more than just the Remmers brothers that are leading the way for MCM. Austin Hoiten, a senior at 285 pounds, has a record of 24-2 and is hoping to be a state championship contender. Trystan Traupel, a sophomore, has a record of 32-3 at 120 pounds, and was second in Class B a year ago. Kade Grocott (220), Carter Randall (160), Mason Pulse (182), Landon Flogstad (106) and Parker Randall (113) are among the team’s other leaders.
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“This town has a lot of wrestling history and it’s always one of our best programs,” Weston Remmers said. “We’re pushing hard in practice and trying to be as well-rounded as possible. Our team’s success, that’s a big goal of ours.”
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