ST. PAUL — Three out of seven Albert Lea wrestlers won their first-round matches at the state wrestling meet to qualify for the quarterfinals on Friday.

Trevor Westerlund, in the 113-pound weight class, was the first Albert Lea wrestler to advance. He dominated since the first period. Westerlund led 6-1 at the start of the second period and extended that lead to 15 points (18-3), before pinning Andy Andress of White Bear Lake.

In the quarterfinals, Trevor Westerlund (37-6) will face Maolu Woiwor (39-5). Woiwor pinned his first-round opponent in 5:36.

Lucas Hansen earned Albert Lea’s second win of the day with a 3-0 decision over Nate Julkowski of Coon Rapids.

“I just wrestled smart, my style,” Hansen said. “I hoped I’d get the win, and I did.”

Hansen (38-4) will wrestle Mitch Bengtson(42-0) in the quarterfinals. Bengtson pinned his first-round opponent in 1:51.

Triston Westerlund also earned a win in the opening round. At 182 pounds, he took down Gary Nick of St. Paul Central by major decision, 15-4.

“I didn’t expect to lose,” Westerlund said. “I wanted to get past today only having to do two matches.”

Triston Westerlund (38-5) will face Ricky Briggs (41-3) in the quarterfinals. Briggs pinned Jake Owens of Rogers in one minute in the first round.

Also wrestling for the Tigers were Beau Johnsrud, Garrett Wangsness, Dakota Wangsness and Jacob Kunkel.

Johnsrud fell by major decision to Mitchell McKee of St Michael-Albertville, 11-0. Garrett Wangsness lost to Gannon Volk of Apple Valley by a major decision 11-3, and Dakota Wangsness fell to Trent Butcher of Chaska 8-4. Kunkel lost 9-0 to Jerrad Nieland of St. Cloud Tech.

All four wrestlers have a chance to work their way back through the bracket with wrestlebacks at 8 p.m. today.