State wrestling notebook: Hettinger takes fourth in duals

Hettinger takes fourth in duals

FARGO -- The most exciting finish at the Class B state dual tournament certainly wasn't the state championship.

Velva-Garrison-Max slipped past Hettinger on the seventh criterion of their 30-30 third-place dual Friday at the Fargodome.

After a long discussion between tournament officials, V-G-M coach Mike Thingstad went to his team and gave a fist pump, causing the Aggies' crowd to cheer. When it was all said and done, V-G-M had more near-fall points than Hettinger.

"The dual had its ups and downs," V-G-M coach Mike Thingstad said. "You got to give Hettinger credit."

V-G-M's Collin Kittelson caused the long discussion. With the Aggies trailing 30-27, Kittelson decisioned Hettinger's Eric Ormisten 8-5 to clinch the tie and the eventual win.

Hettinger coach Randy Burwick was pleased with the performance of his squad.

"We beat three kids in that dual that we hadn't beaten all year long," Burwick said. "I'm proud of my boys."

Napoleon cruised to its sixth consecutive Class B state dual championship with a 60-10 win over Central Cass. In three state tourney duals, Napoleon put up a total of 175 points.

The tight loss accompanies a tough day for Hettinger in the individual portion of the state tournament.

The Black Devils had three wrestlers in the semifinals, but fell short in every match.

At the 125-pound match, Beach No. 1 seed Brad Steele and Hettinger two-seed Luke Boxrud both lost out in the semis. Boxrud beat Steele in the state championship last year.

Napoleon is dominant

The Napoleon Imperials have thoroughly dominated Class B all season long.

Nothing has changed as the Imperials lead the way with 183.5 team points.

Lisbon is second with 85 points. Central Cass (84.5), V-G-M (81) and Ashley-Wishek (74) rounded out the top five.

Hettinger is in eighth with 64 points.

"We still got eight guys to score points for us," Burwick said. "We have the attitude to be in the top five. It'll be a tough road to hoe, but we're going to be there."

Seeger in title tilt

New Salem freshman Nate Seeger, a sixth seed, won by 10-4 decision over Linton's Danny Imdieke to get into the state finals at the 145-pound class.

Seeger, a returning state placer, upset Napoleon third-seeded Michael Ellison on Thursday to get to the semifinals.

Seeger will go up against defending state champion Rowdy Lund of Watford City in the state championship.