From her first days on the mat in seventh grade to the last time in a navy blue singlet, Sloane Kruger’s wrestling career has been through some highs and lows.
The Black Hills High School alum still had one checkmark lift to fill: A college decision.
That was completed earlier this summer when Kruger put pen to paper and signed with Presbyterian College, a Division I women’s wrestling program in South Carolina.
“It felt like home and the coaches were awesome,” Kruger said. “Girls were really cool, facilities (were) super nice.”
Coming off an unblemished senior year that was capped with her first career state title at 100-pounds at Mat Classic XXXVI, Kruger maintained her interest in competing at the next level. The final destination was not finalized yet.
Herself and her dad, Steve, went on several visits to NAIA, NCAA and NWCA programs to find the best fit. Ultimately, the chance to compete at the NCAA level was too much to pass up.
“Definitely excited for her," Steve, also the head coach for Black Hills, said. “ I’m excited she still loves wrestling. Post surgery junior year, she wanted to give it a shot in college and do it at the highest level.”
Sloane only needed one visit to the Presbyterian campus to come to the conclusion it was home for the next four years.
“I wanted a girls' team who was super friendly and inviting, eventually like a family,” she said. “They take their wrestling really seriously. I didn’t care what spot I went to.”
The father-daughter duo of the Wolves’ program have been by each other’s side through it all. They witnessed the shortcomings at state, surgery after Sloane’s junior year and embracing one another after the final whistle.
In periods of reflection, Steve sometimes can’t believe it.
“I never would have expected the career she had when she first started. To excel at it is amazing,” he said. “Makes me a pretty proud dad.”
Presbyterian is coming off a 14-4 dual record last season and a sixth place finish overall at the NCWWC National Championships in Coralville, Iowa.
The Blue Hose ended the tournament with six All-Americans and the team finish was the highest in program history. They were one of the early schools to fund a women’s wrestling team.
“I think it's really cool I’m going into that,” Sloane said.
Conversations with head coach Bryan Vutianitis were solidified in Sloane wrestling at 103 her freshman season. Annalise Maralit is the only returning 103 pounder from last season.
“She is a natural leader and a good teammate. Whether or not she gets a starting spot, she’ll be a good motivator,” Steve said.
More than anything, Sloane is ready for the next set of challenges that come her way. She knows it won’t be easy stepping into a room with high standards, but to her, she wouldn’t want it any other way.
Before she treks to South Carolina, she will wrap up her prep career at Fargo for the national tournament set to start this week.
“It was all for a reason,” Sloane said. “It’s led me to an awesome high school finish and college can lead me (down a similar path).”
