Tanner Sloan announces return to South Dakota State wrestling for final season

Tanner Sloan announced his return to the South Dakota State wrestling program Monday to use his sixth and final year of eligibility.

The 197 pounder is fresh off a runner-up finish at the 2023 NCAA Wrestling Championships and wants to run it back for one last shot. Sloan had the extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 waiver.

He made it official in a statement released this week.

“I’ve always wanted to wrestle at the next level. And SDSU gave me that opportunity,” Sloan wrote. “My experiences as a Jackrabbit have been nothing short of amazing. And it has truly been an honor to represent the SD across my chest. I want to thank my family, coaches, teammates, and fans for the impact that they have made on my life and developing into the person I am today. With that being said, I am truly excited to return for my final year at SDSU.”

Sloan went 27-3 last season, finishing 2nd at NCAAs and in the Big 12 Championships. He lost to Missouri’s Rocky Elam in the Big 12 finals.

However, he had a rematch with Elam in the NCAA semifinals. This time, Sloan got the win 7-2 and advanced to the finals.

However, Sloan fell 5-3 to Pittsburgh’s Nino Bonaccorsi.

“When the final whistle blew, looking over at the coaches, the pure excitement that I see in their face of all the hard work we’ve done training, methodical, whatever you want to call it,” Sloan said in a postmatch press conference after clinching a spot in the NCAA finals. “Just to finally be in the position to reach my ultimate goal is pretty amazing.”

Sloan even said in March how much he was invested in the South Dakota State wrestling program.

“For myself, it was just consistency, knowing that I can step toe-to-toe with anyone in that bracket and I’ve proved it and I’ve got one more to prove tomorrow,” Sloan said. “Just me being consistent and believing in myself …

“We’re trying to build a program in Brookings, and I couldn’t ask for a better coaching staff to do that with. I’m just really excited for the future of South Dakota State with my final year next year and the years to come.”

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In his career, Sloan is 86-20 in five varsity seasons and was the 2023 runner-up at 197 pounds. He’ll be on the shortlist to win it all in 2024.