STURGIS - Sturgis opened its wrestling season Thursday night by winning 10-of-14 matches and defeating Belle Fourche 46-21 at the Brown High School west gym.
The Scoopers, who have won the past three A crowns, claimed the first five matches en route to a 25-0 lead.
Sturgis' sophomore duo of Seth Lange and Josh Keszler began defense of their state titles by pinning their respective opponents. Lange stopped Ryan Moncur in 3 minutes, 7 seconds during the 119-pound match. Keszler, who competed at 125 lbs., stopped Chad Goethals in 2:46.
Lange recorded a two-point takedown only nine seconds into his match. He added two more takedowns and a three-point near fall to lead 9-2 after the first period.
Keszler used a pair of first-period takedowns for a 4-2 advantage. The margin grew to 11-3 in the second.
Clint Wilson recorded the other Sturgis pin. He stopped Tate Thybo in 37 seconds of the 160-pound match.
Belle Fourche received pins from Kale Merrell, Brian Schultz and Justin Jenson. Merrell stopped Mark Flottmeyer in 4:56 at 152 pounds. Schultz subdued Randy Aga at 4:30 of the 171-pound match.
Jenson trailed Sturgis' Doug Staley 9-3 in the third period of the heavyweight match. The Bronc sophomore, however, recorded the pin at 5:17.
"I think Sturgis just outwrestled us in the third period," Belle Fourche head coach Brad Young said. He added he knew his squad could compete with the Scoopers, and the Broncs wrestled tough in the first two periods.
Jenson wrestled JV last season and had a 5-15 record, according to Young. Many in the Broncs' corner this week encouraged Jenson to believe in himself, get after it and not give up.
"At the end he didn't quit," Young commented. "He just kept after it; I'm really proud of him."
Belle Fourche will compete at this weekend's Custer Tournament. The Scoopers are set to go to Mandan, N.D., for the Lions Invitational.
"We made some mistakes tonight, but it's early in the year," Sturgis head coach Steve Keszler said. "You make corrections on mistakes, and you hope you don't see them anymore.
"That's what the beginning of the year is all about."
