Three Breckenridge-Wahpeton Storm wrestlers advanced to the state semifinals in the first day of the North Dakota State Wrestling Tournament at the Fargodome on Thursday.
Hunter Owens, Aidan Ruddy and Jackson Burchill were the second seed out of the East Region in each of their brackets, but fell short of the state championship match when they were bested by the top-seeded wrestlers from the West Region.
Owens, wrestling at 138 pounds, pinned his first foe and moved on to the semis with an 8-2 victory. Victor Garcia from Minot pinned Owens in the second period to move on to the championship round.
Ruddy picked up a gritty 8-6 win in the opening round of the 152-pound bracket and dominated for a 17-2 win by technical fall in the quarterfinal round. He was bested by Tim Kadrmas by a 7-2 decision in the semifinal round.
Burchill pinned his first two opponents before getting put on his back in the semifinal round by Nivon Hayes from Watford City.
The trio of Owens, Ruddy and Burchill are back in action today.
Three other BW wrestlers picked up a win in the consolation bracket before being eliminated. Riley Kappes at 106 pounds had an 8-0 win by major decision, Myles Hinkley at 160 pounds picked up a pin and Logan Schwartz at 285 pounds secured a 4-0 win by decision.
