Former Palmer High wrestling standout wins region crown, chance to compete in NAIA national tournament

PALMER — Caleb Deemer knew there was only one route to the national tournament. He would have to win a region championship. It took overtime, but that’s exactly what the former Palmer High School wrestling standout did.

Deemer, a Morningside College senior, defeated Northwestern College’s D’Rell Gist 7-1 in overtime to win the 197-pound bracket during the Great Plains Athletic Conference NAIA qualifier Feb. 16 in Orange City, Iowa. With the title, Deemer earned an automatic birth in the NAIA National Championships, which start March 1 in Des Moines, Iowa.

“It’s truly a special feeling,” Deemer said recently of his first trip to the national tournament. “It’s been five years of hard work. It feels good to see the hard work pay off.”

Deemer improved to 21-9 as a senior with his win in the finals, and is also 9-1 in his last 10 matches. Deemer and Gist were tied at 1 heading into overtime in the region finals.

“I was able to get a throw in and put him on his back,” Deemer said.

Nearfall points gave him the 7-1 win. That victory came after a 7-5 semifinal win over Doane College’s Perry Baltz. Deemer needed a late takedown to advance to the finals.

“I knew if I wanted to go to nationals I would have to be a region champion. In our region only one guy in a weight class got to go,” Deemer said.

Deemer approached each match like the final match of his college career, because it could have been. He said confidence in the work that he has put in throughout his wrestling career also helped.

“I just have to wrestle every match knowing I can beat anybody,” Deemer said.

Considering that work, Deemer said he felt he was within reach of a chance to wrestle in the national tournament.

“I always felt like it was a realistic goal,” Deemer said. “I had to trust in myself and the work I put in.”

Deemer, a 2014 graduate of Palmer High, was recruited by Morningside to compete at either 184 or 197. Deemer said he preferred to wrestle in the 197-pound class.

“It was a comfort level for me,” Deemer said. “I didn’t have to cut as much weight. It was more of a personal decision, a better fit.”

Overall, Deemer said attending and competing for Morningside, an Iowa college, has been a great experience.

“I’ve really enjoyed it,” Deemer said.

Deemer stood out in both wrestling and football during his time at Palmer High. As a senior in wrestling, Deemer earned a Northern Lights Conference title and finished second in the 4A state tournament.

Deemer is scheduled to graduate in the fall, and said he is pursing a career in teaching and coaching.

“It’s a little weird to think I won’t be an athlete, but I want to pass on wisdom to the next generation,” Deemer said.

Deemer said he definitely wants to coach wrestling in plans on staying in Iowa, at least in the near future. Deemer said his younger brother, Zach, who is graduating from Palmer High in May, hopes to wrestle in college.

“I’d like to be able to support him,” Deemer said.

Deemer said he wants to be able to support his brother like his family has supported him.

“The whole experience, wrestling, following my dream is pretty special. I have my parents to thank for the love and support they’ve been giving me. They pushed me to be my best even when I didn’t see the best in myself. I’m lucky to have them,” Deemer said.

Contact Frontiersman managing editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.