Finishes High School Career with 33-3 season and Class B 215-pound championship
As Wessington Springs High School (WSHS) senior Holden Havlik took to the mat at this year’s South Dakota State Wrestling Tournament following a second place finish last year, he knew with all of his being that this year would be different.
“I had a different mentality. I wanted to avenge my loss from last year,” he shared. “I knew what I needed to do to win — it was on my mind all season.”
Keeping that loss in mind, Havlik became even more driven, realizing he needed to work harder than last year to accomplish the goal of claiming the state title. After contending with a hamstring injury during the football season, he took off the first month of wrestling to heal.
“Once I gave it some time it was no problem,” Havlik said. “During the last month of my wrestling season, I got up early four times a week and ran in the cold,” he said. 'I always did extra workouts after practice every day. It was a grind but it was all worth it in the end.”
And in the end, Havlik reached his goal, completing his senior year winning the Class B 215-pound title over Philip/Kadoka Area/Wall’s Jensen Fitch by a 9-3 decision, finishing one spot better than a year ago, when he came in second at 215 pounds.
Havlik reached the championship match with a victory over Harding County’s Brenton Padden and Flandreau’s Karter Headrick by technical falls, and Kingsbury County’s Breyten Johnson with a first-period pin.
Havlik is quick to give credit to his coaches, Kevin Haider, Adam Haake and Landon Wolter.
“I’m extremely grateful for being able to wrestle for Kevin, Adam and Landon. Especially Adam, he has been such a huge role model,” Havlik shared. “Even through my losses, they knew how to build me up. Without them I would never have been able to win it this year.'
Haake touts Havlik’s work ethic and willingness to keep going as a big part of his success.
“Holden trained hard, there’s no doubt about that. Wrestling takes a lot of mental toughness to go out and lose on your own and come back and win another match,” said Haake. “That loss doesn’t matter, we want to win when it matters and keep preparing. It’s the same thing with life, you can’t dwell on a failure you keep going. It’s a pretty powerful lesson.” Havlik, who has been wrestling since 2nd grade, said winning this title is the culmination of his entire career.
“It’s awesome. This is what youth wrestling and all the tournaments and training we’ve done — this is what it all builds up to,” he said. “I’m glad to finish where I wanted.”
With a championship wrestling title his senior year and a bright future at Northern State University, having signed on as quarterback for the Wolves football team, Havlik is incredibly grounded and eager to give credit where credit is due.
'I have to give a shout out to my dad, he’s done so much for me to get me where I am. I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish this without him. He’s taken me to countless training events, he’s always reminding me to get my protein in, get my push ups and sit ups in. At the time it’s annoying but looking back on the season, I am glad he was like that,” Havlik said. “I want to thank Adam and Kevin for pushing me everyday. The things they taught me will carry on next year and be huge at Northern. The hard work aspect they’ve taught me and how to break through mental blocks will help me the rest of my life.”
Four Wessington Springs/Woonsocket-Wolsey/Wessington Wrestlers at State
In addition to Havlik, Jacksen Carter, Bailey Yost and Camille Rearick qualified for state. Carter, a sophomore from Wolsey, ended up taking second place in the Class B132 championship.
“We’re always in competition with conditioning and sprints during practice. It’s a big reason we went so far in the tournament, we push each other every day,” Havlik pointed out. “He’s a very hard worker and will do great things these next two years.”
Haake agrees that Havlik and Carter both benefited from conditioning together.
“They are head and shoulders above everyone. Jacksen and Holden pushed each other — I would always tell them, iron sharpens iron,” Haake said. “Jacksen has goals to wrestle in college. He works his tail off all summer long, at camps, wrestling free style, at tournaments. He puts in the time and it shows.”
When it comes to Yost and Rearick, Haake touts their toughness and leadership.
“The girls are in the room with the boys. It’s going to be hard to lose Bailey. She’s tougher than snot. When those boys are crying and whining she’s still in. She’s pretty special,” Haake said of the WSHS senior. “She’s really served as a mentor for Camille and she is a hero to the youth wrestling Pony Hills girls. I’m extremely proud of them and it’s an honor to coach them.”