Greg Skerik gained the state semifinals Thursday while three teammates remained alive in the wrestlebacks in the first day's action at the state wrestling tournament.
Skerik defeated Zack Juusola of Minneapolis Edison 11-2 in his opening bout, then won his quarterfinal test from Matt Morris of Albert Lea 5-2.
He will wrestle in the 145 pound semifinals today at 3:30 for a berth in the title round.
Joe Andersen won his opening bout at 140 by fall over Mardy Hanson of Bloomington Kennedy in1:42.
But in the quarterfinals he was pinned at 6:24 by John Sundgren of Blaine after the two fought to a draw after regulation distance.
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He also goes at 3:30 today in the second round of the wrestlebacks, needing to win that bout to assure a place.
Should he win, he would wrestle again at 6:30 for a spot in the third place matches Saturday.
Three other Lumberjacks fell in the first round. Kaleb Young at 171 lost 2-1 to Julian Mancha of St. Paul Humboldt but remained alive when Mancha won his second match. Young faces Matt Uher of Owatonna at 8 this morning in the opening round of wrestlebacks. He will need two victories to assure himself of placing for the third straight year.
Dan Sorby is in a similar position. He bowed to Tyson Barrett of Minnetonka 9-3 in his first match but remained alive when Barrett won his second mach.
He goes against Pete Schmitt of St. Paul Harding this morning, also needing two wins to place.
Travis Beighley at 119 bowed 5-2 in his opener to Troy Bertram of Hastings and was sidelined when Bertram lost in the quarterfinals to Alex Maeger of Owatonna. He ended his year at 21-8.
The third and fifth place matches will be contested Saturday noon with the title matches beginning at 3.
Last year, Bemidji placed four of its six entrants with Chris Miller taking third, Andersen and Skerik fourth and Kenny Schmitt sixth.
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Skerik's two wins lifted his school record total to 214.
Note
In the Class AA individual tournament, freshman Nate Higgins of Walker-Hackensack-Akeley dropped a 18-4 decision to Cole Von Ohlen of Jackson County Central. Higgins will take a 33-8 record into today's 103-pound wrestlebacks.
Senior 160-pounder Matt Essig of Fosston/Bagley lost 5-3 to D.J. Ringquist of Fergus Falls and was eliminated, finishing his season at 28-11.
