SIOUX FALLS – Five Pierre Governor boys wrestlers still have state championship hopes and will wrestle in Friday semifinal matches at the SDHSAA State Wrestling Tournament at the Denny Sanford Premier Center.
138-pounder Blake Judson, 145-pounder Hayden Shaffer, Deegan Houska at 152, Chance Carda at 182 and Josh Rydberg at 285 all won twice Thursday to advance to the semifinals.
Judson eked out a 1-0 decision over Blessing Taniah of Sioux Falls Washington, then pinned Rapid City Stevens’ Jacob McCormick.
Shaffer first pinned Lane Knutson of Washington in the first period, then turned around a 6-1 deficit against Brandon Valley’s Gavin Chapman into a third-period pin.
After Houska pinned Joey Fitzpatrick of Brookings, a reversal with 17 seconds left gave him a 4-3 quarterfinal win over Sam Werdel of Tea Area.
Carda had some work, but still had two pins, in the third period over Leyton Rafferty of Milbank and in the second period over Dominic Tucker of Brandon Valley.
Rydberg took two decisions, 4-1 over Nike Rosas of Tea Area and 5-0 over Colton Lauen of Rapid City Stevens.
Alex Oedekoven, Nate Williams, Tristan Spencer, Lucas Chamberlin and Gavin Stotts are all still in the wrestlebacks.
Through the first day, Pierre has 88.5 points, 23 behind AA boys leader Brandon Valley.
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