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Kirby Cronin (’97) made his mark on Buffalo athletics on the football field
and on the wrestling mat. He played football for four years
and was a three-time all-conference player. Kirby qualified
four times for the state high school wrestling tournament, finishing
in the top three each time. Few athletes have dominated the
field and mat as Kirby did from 1994-97. On the football field, Kirby was a three-year starter at quarterback and cornerback for Coach Dave Tate. Each of his years as a starter (1994-96), Kirby was named to the All-Southeast-Conference football team as a defensive back. In 1994, he was named the Stanley County Most Valuable Offensive Back. In 1995, he was named the Stanley County Most Valuable Defensive Back. In 1996, he was again named the Stanley County Most Valuable Offensive Back. He was one of the toughest two-way Buffalos to play on Ole Williamson Field. It was on the wrestling mat, however, where Kirby became a household name in South Dakota. His individual accomplishments fill pages. Kirby was a four-time Big Dakota Conference champion (1994-97). He was named the Stanley County Most Valuable Wrestler four times (1994-97). Kirby holds the school record for most wins by decision (108 from 1992-97). He was the 1994 region champion and the 1997 district champion. Kirby qualified four times for the state tournament and placed in the top three each time. In 1994, as a freshman, he finished the season in third place with a record of 40-14. In 1995, Kirby again finished in third place with a record of 41-10. As a junior, he entered the state championship match with a record of 41-6 and, as a senior, he returned to the championship circle with a 35-6 record. Kirby was selected to participate in the South Dakota All Star Games and finished his high school wrestling career with a record of 215-58, giving him the sixth highest number of all-time wins in school history. Kirby has coached wrestling for eighteen years in South Dakota and Texas. He was the 2009 Texas Region Assistant Coach of the Year, holding a dual record of 132-27. He lives in Fort Pierre with his wife and family. |