Brown battles on

Press Photo by Chris Aarhus Dickinson High junior Justin Brown drives through Bismarck Century sophomore Timmy West in their 112-pound quarterfinal match at the Class A state tournament Thursday at the Fargodome.

By Dickinson Press Staff

February 19, 2009 at 10:00 PM

FARGO -- When Justin Brown took the mat on Thursday at the Class A state wrestling tournament at the Fargodome, he was facing two opponents at once.

The Dickinson High junior came down with a cold this week and hasn't been able to shake it.

Nonetheless, Brown was able to slip into the semifinals at the 112-pound class thanks to a 3-0 first-round decision over Bismarck High's Waylon Zaste and a 9-1 major decision over Bismarck Century's Timmy West.

"This whole week, I've been pretty sick," Brown said. "I can't hear out of my right ear."

Because he can't hear, Brown hasn't been able to understand Dickinson coach Cody Wolf during the match.

"I look over and I can see him yelling," Brown said.

Wolf said he's not concerned, though, as Brown is a seasoned veteran who doesn't need much coaching.

"With Justin, he has his own style of wrestling," Wolf said. "He can go through and do pretty much whatever he wants."

Brown said the biggest problem has been with his stamina and endurance.

"In practice (this week), I was only able to go 3 minutes," Brown said. "I get tired a lot faster."

Brown's going to need his 'A' game when he faces Williston's Kirby Kain at 4 p.m. today. Brown has beaten Kain twice this season, both of which were 1-point decisions.

"We know what Kirby brings to the table," Wolf said. "Justin's doing a good job of fighting (his cold)."

Bismarck High has a commanding lead with 95.5 points. Of the 14 qualified Demons, nine are wrestling in the semis. Williston is second with 59.5 points while Fargo South is in third with 54.5. Grand Forks Red River (53) and Bismarck Century (50) rounded out the top five. Dickinson is in 15th place with 28 points.

The only other semifinalist for the Midgets was senior Damian Berger, who pinned both Fargo South's Tim Keller and Grand Forks Central's Kaccee Morin to earn a chance at making his third straight trip to the state finals. He goes up against Bismarck High's Joe Schumacher today.

Wolf said the Midgets need to take charge in this morning's wrestlebacks.

"We're looking for wrestlebacks maniacs," Wolf said. "I think we've got a shot in every match."