Spearfish Wrestling 2025 Season Recap: Laying the Groundwork for a Promising Future
The 2025 wrestling season at Spearfish High School was one of transition, growth, and optimism. Under the leadership of Head Coach John Thayer, the Spartans stepped onto the mats this winter with a renewed mindset—not simply chasing wins, but building a culture that emphasizes effort, development, and camaraderie. With a roster made up predominantly of underclassmen and a small but influential group of upperclassmen, Spearfish’s focus was clear: set the tone now for long-term success.
As part of our 2025 Winter Season Recap Series, we spoke with Coach Thayer to get his take on the year’s biggest lessons, standout athletes, and what’s in store for this up-and-coming program.
Season of Transition and Buy-In
Coach Thayer didn’t shy away from admitting that this season came with its share of growing pains. With only two seniors on the roster—one of whom suffered a season-ending injury early—the weight of leadership and performance fell largely on the shoulders of younger athletes. Despite the challenges, Thayer saw the season as a resounding success in terms of development and establishing a new team identity.
“This season wasn’t about the grind as much as it was about having fun and learning the new system,” said Thayer. “Guys really bought in and are looking forward to next year.”
The transition to a new coaching style and set of expectations can often be difficult, especially for upperclassmen, but Thayer was impressed by how quickly his athletes adapted. “Our juniors really embraced the new style,” he said. “Their attitude toward practice and competition was to just go out and have fun.”
Standouts on the Mat
Despite fielding a relatively young team, Spearfish saw some strong performances throughout the season, particularly from a few standout wrestlers.
Senior Jacob Ellingson led the charge with a stellar season that included winning several tournaments and finishing 5th at the state championships. A quiet leader who preferred to let his work ethic do the talking, Jacob’s offseason dedication paid off in a big way, helping set the tone for the rest of the team.
Juniors Kaden Gonzales and Jacob Foster also had breakout years, both qualifying for state while maintaining winning records. “All three of them really bought into the new coaching style,” said Thayer. “That’s hard for many upperclassmen, but their mindset made a huge difference.”
These veterans were crucial not only for their performance but also for showing younger teammates how to approach the sport with discipline and enthusiasm.
A Freshman Class Full of Promise
While upperclassmen provided a foundation, it was Spearfish’s freshman class that gave Coach Thayer perhaps the most reason for excitement. Thrust into varsity roles against seasoned opponents, these first-year wrestlers held their own in a competitive Class A field.
“I was most impressed with my freshman class,” said Thayer. “They are a fun bunch that were asked to step into varsity roles against very tough opponents. They are very resilient and continue to improve.”
Having so many freshmen contribute in meaningful ways bodes well for the future of the program. Their early exposure to high-level competition will undoubtedly accelerate their development and create depth in years to come.
A Defining Weekend in Douglas, WY
Every season has its pivotal moments, and for Spearfish, one of the most memorable came during an out-of-state trip to Douglas, Wyoming. The team traveled to compete in a two-day tournament featuring schools from several states and left with not only strong performances but also stronger bonds.
“We stayed at an Airbnb, did some team bonding, and had a lot of success at the tournament,” said Thayer. “Our guys did really well against opponents they hadn’t wrestled before.”
That experience of stepping out of their comfort zone and rising to the challenge was a major boost for the team’s confidence and chemistry—something that will carry into future seasons.
Adapting Through Adversity
One of the quieter victories for Spearfish this season was its minimal injury count, which Thayer credits largely to the school’s strength and conditioning program. Staying healthy allowed the Spartans to keep a consistent lineup and gave more wrestlers opportunities to gain experience on the mat.
Even when facing losses, the team responded with maturity. “We tried to emphasize that losses are learning opportunities,” said Thayer. “We reflected after every match on how we could improve.”
It’s that type of culture—one that values growth over immediate gratification—that Thayer is hoping to solidify moving forward.
Leadership Through Action
With just one healthy senior for most of the year, leadership responsibilities were focused primarily on Jacob Ellingson, who served as a living example of what commitment can achieve.
“Jacob leads by example more than by word of mouth,” Thayer noted. “His offseason workout and training gave him the edge to be one of the top wrestlers in the state at his weight class.”
Jacob’s influence will continue to resonate in the wrestling room as younger athletes emulate his work ethic and dedication.
Building for the Future
Looking ahead, there is a sense of excitement and momentum around Spearfish wrestling. The team plans to stay active in the offseason, with team camps, open mats, and even social events like barbecues and lake trips to strengthen team unity.
“The whole team is looking forward to next year,” said Thayer. “We want to keep building that bond and keep developing together.”
One key focus area for the offseason is increasing participation. “We’re always looking to increase our numbers,” said Thayer. “The bigger the team, the tougher the competition is in the room.” Internal competition pushes every athlete to get better, and adding more wrestlers to the room is one of the easiest ways to elevate the program.
Where to Follow the Spartans
For fans and community members eager to follow the team’s progress and individual stats, Spearfish’s wrestling data can be found on TrackWrestling, which tracks match results, brackets, and season summaries.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 wrestling season at Spearfish High School may not have ended with a trophy, but the victories achieved were far more foundational. In building a young, resilient team that loves to learn, compete, and grow together, Coach Thayer and his staff have created something far more lasting than a win-loss record.
With a core of returning wrestlers, strong leadership habits, and an infectious team culture, the Spartans are poised for big things in the coming years. And if this season was about laying the groundwork, the seasons to come may very well be about reaping the rewards.
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