Dickinson High needs young guys to come through at state

DICKINSON - Dickinson High wrestling coach Cody Wolf said he's just hoping his young group can make some noise at the Class A state tournament, which starts today at the Bismarck Civic Center.

"We've got some young kids who are capable of picking up some

upsets," Wolf said. "It depends on how they come out and

wrestle."

The Midgets are sending 11 wrestlers to the tourney, which is

tied for sixth-best in the West Region. Defending state champion

Bismarck High is sending a region-best 17 grapplers.

Though Dickinson, which didn't qualify for the state dual

tournament, has an outside shot at a top five or even a top 10

finish in the individual tournament, Wolf said he still expects

strong performances from certain individuals.

Ben Brown (135), the team's lone state placer from last season,

is back and is hoping to better his sixth-place finish.

"He's definitely capable of top six," Wolf said. "He had a rib

injury last weekend, so hopefully that doesn't affect him."

Brown, a senior, is seeded seventh and matches up against

Belcourt freshman Leonard Eller in the first round.

He is one of four seeded wrestlers for the Midgets, who have

just four seniors on the team.

Dickinson's highest seed is Justin Brown at the 119-pound class.

He puts his 19-7 record on the line against Jamestown freshman

Brent Mittleider, who is 16-23.

Also seeded are freshmen Alex Brown (eighth) at 103 and Colton

Schaeffer (seventh) at 112.

"We're going to have to have some positives out of some

situations," Wolf said.

According to Wolf, it would be nice to see some upsets, though

it shouldn't be expected.

"We don't expect these kids to go into weight classes and have

the muscle maturity to battle with seniors," he said.

Five of the Midgets' state qualifiers are freshmen or younger.

"They made the first step by making it here," Wolf said. "We'll

work on putting one step in front of the other and building on

the positive things we have started."

Bismarck High is going for its ninth consecutive state dual

championship and is favored to do so.

The Demons are also hoping to get back on track in the

individual tournament as Bismarck won four consecutive state

titles from 2002-05, but has lost the last two to West Fargo

(2006) and Wahpeton (2007).