Gone, Lost & Forgotten: Their Best = Si Tanka aka Huron University

Today there is an online school known as Si Tanka in Eagle Butte, South Dakota.  This article however is in reference to Si Tanka-Huron, which was also known at one time as Huron University in Huron, South Dakota.  It closed in 2005 & had a wrestling program upon its closure. 

The Screaming Eagles were quite good.  I know they won a South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference title in 1972.  They may have won more.   At the national level, they were third at the 1973 NAIA championships, taking Runner-up honors in 1980 & placing sixth in 1983. 

On a personal note a college I attended Northwestern (Iowa) used to wrestle Si Tanka every season.  Many wrestlers on the team noted it as one of their favorite places to compete at. 

Bill Ehlers
HWT

After finishing in sixth place at the NAIA championships in 1971, Bill Ehlers made the NAIA finals in 1972. 

Gary Keck
177, 167 lbs 

Keck was a two time NAIA finalist for the Screaming Eagles in 1973 & 1975.  He took fifth place in 1974.  He later coached at Si Tanka aka Huron as well as the University of Minnesota. 

Randy Glur
118 lbs 

Originally from Nebraska, Glur won three state titles for Columbus High School in 75', 76' & 77'.  He went on to wrestle in junior college where he placed third at the 1979 NJCAA tournament.  Transferring to Si Tanka aka Huron, he won a NAIA title in 1980, finishing in third place in 1982. 


He later coached at Southern Valley High School where his daughter Molly was a state qualifier. 

James Morkel
150 lbs 

Morkel an NAIA champion in 1980 for the Screaming Eagles owns & operates a Any Time Fitness in Fountain Hills, Arizona.  

Jim Koslowski
190 lbs 

Koslowski took third at the 1980 NAIA championships. 

Stan Steffensen
126 lbs 

Steffensen took third place NAIA All American honors in 1981.  He went on to coach at Kenai High School in Alaska. 

Gene Noce
150 lbs 

A Kansas high school state champion in 1980 for Emporia High school, Noce made the NAIA finals in 1983.   Post college he became a Colonel in the United States Army. 

Merrick Wiles

Another native of Kansas, Wiles wrestled for Fredonia High School.   Making the NAIA finals in 1984, today Wiles works as an insurance agent. 

Ray Birden 
158 lbs 

Birden was a two time NAIA All American for the Screaming Eagles.  He was a finalist in 1987, taking sixth place in 1988. 

Larry Stanbrough
126 lbs  

A three time state finalist & one time state champion for McGuinness High School in Oklahoma, Larry Stanbrough began his career at the University of Oklahoma wrestling for the Sooners.  He transferred to Si Tanaka aka Huron as a sophomore & had an outstanding career for the Screaming Eagles.  He placed seventh in 1988, winning a national title in 1989.  He took runner-up honors in 1990.