Wrestlers To Be Competing in State Tournament

The Milbank Bulldogs are preparing for the state Class A wrestling tournament this weekend. The tournament begins at 10 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, February 24-25 at the Denny Sanford Premiere Center in Sioux Falls. It features both Class A and Class B. The combined state meet debuted in 2016, but this is the first year it will be held at the Premiere Center.

Six grapplers are set to represent Milbank Area. Four are returning state qualifiers from last season and two will make their first appearance. Earning a repeat trip were: Alec Bien, Jake Anderson, Cole Dockter, and Riley Folk. Taking part in the state meet for the first time are Eli Fischer and JD Lusk. Anderson was the lone Bulldog to place in 2016. He brought home seventh place.

Freshman Eli Fischer takes a 41-9 season record into the tourney at the 106-pound weight class. He faces freshman Declan Malone of Douglas (29-12) in the opening round.

Freshman JD Lusk makes his state tournament debut with a 15-20 record in the 126-pound class. He battles junior Spencer Stockman of Rapid City Stevens (39-4) in the first round.

Sophomore Alec Bien faces junior Brandon Sharkey of Rapid City Stevens in the first round of the 145-pound weight class. Bien has a 23-13 record; Sharkey’s record is 28-15.

Senior Jake Anderson bumped up a weight class for the region tournament and takes a 27-6 season record into his first match. He faces senior Tristen Boeckholt of West Central (40-7) in the opening round at the 160-pound weight class.

Junior Cole Dockter also bumped up a weight class to 170 pounds. He heads into the state tournament with a 29-20 record and faces junior Jason Simon of West Central. Simon sits at 16-4.

Senior Riley Folk holds a 25-11 record this season. He takes on junior Sam Detert of Harrisburg (35-11) at the 220-pound weight class.

The 2017 State Wrestling Tournament is double elimination. The wrestlers who survive until day two place in the top eight of their respective weight classes.

Keep up with The Valley Express for all your state wrestling results.

State wrestling qualifiers are: (l to r.) Riley Folk, Jake Anderson, and Cole Dockter. Front row, Alec Bien, JD Lusk, and Eli Fischer.