ST. PAUL-The Pierz Pioneers advanced to the Class 1A state championship meet Thursday with a 35-21 semifinal victory over the West Central Knights.
Pierz wrestles Zumbrota-Mazeppa for the title at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Against West Central in the semifinals earlier Thursday, Austin Dickmann avoided getting pinned at 220, assuring that the Pioneers would wrestle for the title. Dickman lost 4-2 but gave Pierz an 8-point edge with one match remaining.
At 170, Brett Kapsner's pin put the Pioneers ahead 21-18. Pierz rolled to three victories in last four bouts to advance.
Matt Kummet and Carson Huls followed Kapsner with major decisions. Troy Fischer capped the dual with a fall at 285.
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In Thursday's quarterfinals, Carson Huls locked up Pierz's rally from a 15-13 deficit with a decision at 195 for an insurmountable 13-point edge with two matches left.
After 160, the dual with eighth-ranked and unseeded KMS was tied 19-19. Brett Kapsner's pin at 170, Matt Kummet's major decision at 182 and Huls' decision at 195 put victory out of KMS' reach. Pins by Austin Dickmann and Troy Fischer closed out the Pierz victory.
State championship story will be available at brainerddispatch.com later tonight and in Friday's print edition.
