The Mandan (N.D.) Lions Wrestling Tournament quickly became a Western South Dakota affair on Friday.
Sturgis took a first-day lead with 103.5 team points, followed by defending South Dakota Class A state champion Rapid City Stevens with 98.5 points.
The Scoopers had nine wrestlers advance through the first day undefeated. Tanner Bothwell (103 pounds), Josh Keszler (125), Seth Lange (130), Clint Wilson (171), Jake Stygles (189) all went 3-0 during the first day for Sturgis, while teammates Nate Wilson (135), Rex Lyon (140), Kyle Kopplin (145) and Chris Vinson (285) all went 2-0. The Scoopers also had one junior varsity wrestler - Jason Duprel - who went undefeated.
The Raiders had eight wrestlers end the day undefeated. Kitt Jeffries (112), Morgan Russell (119), Jarrett Jensen (152), Kris Klapprodt (160), Jeff Moran (171), Nick Jensen (189) and Drew Iddings (215) went 3-0 for Stevens, while Lyman Mahaffy (140) was 2-0. Jarrick Jensen was 2-0 for the Raiders JV.
Rapid City Central finished the first day in fifth place with 64.5 points.
The Cobblers had four wrestlers advance undefeated. James Wilson (145), Kyle Gorsuch (152) were 3-0, while Chapman Ham (189) and Casey Chilstrom (285) each were 2-0.
The tournament continues today in Mandan, N.D.
