The Pierre Governor wrestling teams had outstanding years once again in 2022-2023 on both the boys and girls side. Both head coaches have been recognized on the Coach of the Year Awards with Matt Thorson being named the wrestling coach of the year.
The Governor girls won the team state championship for the second straight year and did not lose a single tournament throughout the year. The Govs had a target on their back all season and still would win tournament after tournament including raising the state championship trophy as a team and are still the only girls team in South Dakota to hold the trophy. Matt Thorson has been the head coach of the girls team for the last two seasons after being an assistant coach for several years prior.
Shawn Lewis, the boys head coach, was also a coach nominated for Wrestling Coach of the Year and was second behind Thorson. The boys team would win the team state dual title for the second time in the last three years, beating an undefeated Brandon Valley team to claim the championship, a feat that nobody outside of the Govs thought would be possible. Both coaches are a big reason why the Governors have had as much success as they’ve had over the last several years.
You can see a full list of all the coaches of the year below. The coaches will be recognized at a banquet on Sunday June 18th at 1:00 at the Holiday Inn Express in Dakota Dunes.
