South Dakota State University wrestler and animal science graduate, Tanner Sloan, was unsure if he was ever going to wrestle beyond high school, let alone take home two major silver medals within a year’s time.
In October 2022, Sloan placed second at the U23 World Championship in Pontevedra, Spain, as well as placing second in the 197-pound bracket for the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in March 2023.
Sloan has also represented Team USA on two occasions – at the U20 World Championship in 2019 where he wrestled in Tallinn, Estonia, and again at the U23 World Championship in 2022 in Pontevedra, Spain, where he took home a silver medal.
While learning to balance school and wrestling, Sloan has enjoyed the hands-on learning that the SDSU animal science program provides. From administering vaccinations, to participating in weaning protocols, to performing lambing checks and learning about processing in the SDSU Meat Lab, Sloan says these hands-on learning opportunities were a big selling point for why he chose to pursue a degree in animal science at SDSU.
He received his bachelor’s degree in May and Sloan plans to remain at SDSU to attend graduate school for interdisciplinary studies, with an emphasis in agriculture, and wrestle his last season for the Jackrabbits.
“My original goal as a college athlete was to become an All-American,” said Sloan. “As I have developed as a wrestler over the past few years, I knew I was better than just an All-American, and my goals changed. I have achieved my first collegiate goal and now have my sights set on the next one of being a National Champion.”
SDSU Extension news release
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