Arrow to the Top: Gage Lohr Secures Historic Fourth State Title, Eyes Record-Breaking Senior Year
- Steve Jurrens
- Mar 31
- 3 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - In the world of South Dakota high school wrestling, there are champions, and then there is Gage Lohr. The Watertown Arrow standout recently made history by securing his fourth consecutive South Dakota State Title at 157 pounds—an achievement made even more remarkable by the fact that Lohr is only a junior.
Lohr’s victory ties a Watertown record that has stood since the 1970s. With one year of high school eligibility remaining, Lohr is now on the precipice of becoming the first wrestler in Watertown history to capture five state titles.
A Lifetime on the Mat
While many athletes find their footing in middle school, Lohr’s journey began nearly a decade earlier.
“I started when I was a little kid... preschool,” Lohr shared during an interview with Northeast Radio SD. “One of my friends wrestled, so I kind of just went after it with him... I’ve been wrestling for a long time, and I really love it. It’s kind of my passion.”
That passion has translated into a rigorous year-round schedule. While the high school season is where he earns his titles, the summer is where he builds his strength. Training out of the Bergee Elite Wrestling Academy in Brookings, Lohr focuses on both folkstyle and freestyle wrestling, lifting, and hitting the mat four to five times a week.
The Mentality of a Champion
Wrestling is as much a mental game as it is physical, particularly when the stakes are as high as a state championship. Lohr attributes much of his success to his ability to remain level-headed in the heat of a match.
“You just got to compose yourself,” Lohr explained. “You just got to keep your mindset straight and just do what you want to do. It can be hard sometimes, especially if someone does something [physical], but you just keep moving forward.”
This composure is evident in his stats. This past season, Lohr wrestled approximately 30 matches, winning nearly 50% of them by pinfall. Whether he’s competing at his high school weight of 157 or dropping down to 138 for off-season tournaments, his dominance remains a constant.
The Road to Brookings and Beyond
For those wondering where Lohr will take his talents after graduation, the answer is close to home. Lohr has officially committed to wrestle for South Dakota State University (SDSU).
When asked about the possibility of following the path of professional “sports entertainment” like the WWE, Lohr was quick to differentiate his craft from the sport’s theatrical side. “No, that’s not my thing. Just regular wrestling,” he said with a laugh.
Building a Legacy
Despite his historic run, Lohr remains focused on the next generation of Arrow wrestlers. He often finds himself approached by younger kids who look up to the “four-time champ.”
“You just be the best person you can be. Just be a good role model and be a good person around them,” Lohr said. “Maybe I’m not always going to be able to help them with the wrestling aspect—they have their own coaches—but you can just be a good person around them, which shows good character.”
As Lohr prepares for his senior season, the community of Watertown—and the rest of South Dakota—will be watching to see if he can turn a historic four-peat into an unprecedented five-title legacy.
