Memories flood back for Stoeser
By Chris Mangan
chris.mangan@capjournal.com
Published/Last Modified on Thursday, Feb 10, 2011 - 06:05:04 am CST
Stanley County’s Chance Stoeser was able to accomplish that and on Thursday will be enshrined in the Stanley County Hall of Fame. When Stoeser received the call saying he would be enshrined, memories came flooding back to him.
“What went through my mind was the recollection of all the great years we had with the kids I use to get up with at 6 a.m. to lift,” Stoeser said. “It was more of a walk down memory lane as to how truly special those days were and how much fun they were and the enjoyment we had.”
Stoeser accomplished a lot while wrestling for the Buffaloes. He was a four-time place winner, winning a state title his senior year at 135-pounds, set school records for most tournament championships (31) and most season and career takedowns. His 224 wins was a national record at the time.
“Winning the state championship was a true highlight for me,” Stoeser said. “Just the fact that I was able to have my dad there to watch and be part of it as an assistant coach. The other thing is just how much effort and work we put into the football we played or the wrestling we did in the winter, just how much work and time we put into it.”
The biggest accomplishment Stoeser may have had was being a High School All-American his senior year.
“I was really honored by it, I really enjoyed it,” Stoeser said. “It goes back to getting recognition for how much effort and time I put into getting to that point. It’s just a great honor. The other thing too is that it’s an honor for everyone involved and how much we worked as a team and how much time the coaches put in.
“Even for my father who, even in the tough times, when I wouldn’t want to get up at 6 a.m. to run or get out of the house at 7 a.m. and run and continue to work on my trade, he would be there to push me when I needed it.”
Stoeser went on to wrestle at Augustana College, where he was a two-time North Central Conference runner-up and a Collegiate Division II All-American, the first Collegiate All-American from Stanley County.
With his time done on the mat, Stoeser said you miss it every single day.
“You miss it every day,” Stoeser said. “I’m fortunate to still be in Sioux Falls, I’m able to go watch the Augustana team today. It’s one of those things that if you had things to do, you would love to get more and more involved in it. I think it’s kind of like anything, once a wrestler, always a wrestler.
“I’m constantly reflecting and watching the next generation come up. Now I’m just a huge fan and appreciate what the kids do.”