Top crowded after 1A opens wrestling tourney

Day two of the state high school wrestling tournament is underway in Des Moines with action this morning in class 1A. Pocahontas Area brought seven wrestlers to the tournament, they have four in the quarterfinals and two in the wrestle backs. They have the first day lead with 20 team points. Belle Plaine brought the most wrestlers with eight. Six are in the quarterfinals with one in the wrestle backs and are one of three teams tied for second place with 18 points. Defending 1A champion Hudson and Don Bosco of Gilbertville are tied for second place. Hudson has all five wrestlers in the quarterfinals, while the Dons have four in the quarters and two in the wrestle backs. Pocahontas Area coach Mitch Parker was pleased to see four of his wrestlers advance to the quarterfinals. He says each of the seven battled hard, and he says he’s real proud of the ones that bounced back.Belle Plaine had six of eight wrestlers win first round matches. Just a year ago coach Bob Yilek’s team has just one qualifier for the state meet. He says they weren’t pleased with that and decided to come back hard. Yilek was pleased with the first round results, as he says his team stayed focused and worked hard. The 3A quarterfinal round is underway at Vets and day two will conclude with the 2A quarterfinals this evening.