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Three Midgets win West Region titles

JAMESTOWN -- The Dickinson High wrestling team doesn't have to worry about wrestlers getting state tournament experience. The Midgets crowned three region champions and qualified 14 wrestlers to the Class A state tournament with a fifth-place fin...

JAMESTOWN -- The Dickinson High wrestling team doesn't have to worry about wrestlers getting state tournament experience.

The Midgets crowned three region champions and qualified 14 wrestlers to the Class A state tournament with a fifth-place finish at the West Region tournament on Saturday.

Dickinson is also competing in the state dual tournament as well.

"It's a big thing," Dickinson coach Cody Wolf said of his team gaining experience.

"Even if they only wrestle two matches, they won't be so surprised next year."

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Dickinson had the second most champions, trailing only tournament-winner Bismarck High, which had four. The Midgets got region titles from Damian Berger (119), Dusty Yates (140) and defending state champion Luke Mellmer (145).

Berger, a No. 2 seed, knocked off top-seeded Dustin Krueger of Jamestown with an 8-3 decision.

"He came through and did a nice job," Wolf said. "(Krueger) was second in state."

Yates beat Bismarck Century's Derek Lee for the fourth time this season, scoring a 10-5 decision.

Mellmer won by 12-0 major decision over Bismarck St. Mary's David Vetter.

"We're getting more and more (experience) behind us each week," Wolf said.

Wolf said he was pleased with the performance of 135-pounder Ben Brown, who took home a fifth-place finish. Brown, a fifth seed, beat Bismarck St. Mary's David Doll in the quarterfinals. Brown had previously lost to Doll on two separate occasions.

Bismarck had 228.5 points, 36 better than runner-up Belcourt. Minot had 192 and Mandan had 151.5, a half of a point more than the Midgets, who rounded out the top five.

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Belcourt and Minot had the most state qualifiers with 15 apiece. Along with Dickinson, Bismarck High also had 14.

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