In the Class 1A individual tournament, two area wrestlers are assured a spot in the tournament still.

United South Central’s A.J. Dreyer earned a 3-0 decision against Lake Crystal-Wellcome-Memorial’s Tyler McMonagle at 215.

Dreyer and McMonagle battled to a scoreless tie through two periods but Dreyer picked up an escape point and a takedown in the third period to prevail.

“He was in total control of the match,” said Rebels head coach Steven Wood.

Although his other wrestler, Preston Stolach lost, Wood was pleased with how his guys performed.

“Two guys that weren’t expected to go to state are doing really well,” he said.

Dreyer will face Brad Kneisl, of Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg, in the quarterfinals. Kneisl is the No. 1 ranked wrestler at 215.

New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva’s Colton Schlaak will advance to the second round for the first time in his career. The Panther senior earned a hard-fought 4-3 decision at 145 pounds over Alex Steffel, of BOLD.

Schlaak, ranked No. 8 in state, scored two first period takedowns and held on late to pick up his first state tournament win.

Schlaak will face Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton’s Shawn Johnson in the quarterfinals. Johnson is the No. 7 ranked wrestler in Class 1A at 145.

Three other area wrestlers were given difficult first round opponents, well maybe difficult is an understatement. USC’s Preston Stolach, NRHEG’s Tim Bartness and David Lindell each faced the No. 1 ranked wrestler at their weight class in the first round and all came away with losses.

Stolach lost 5-2 to Jordan Bendson, who placed second in state last season. Stolach kept Bendson off the board until the third period when he scored a takedown, but Stolach scored a reversal to tie it up before Bendson pulled away with an escape and a takedown.

Bartness competed strongly early on and held a 5-0 lead in the first period before Jergenson got on track.

Jergenson picked up a reversal, a nearfall and a takedown in the first period en route to a 10-5 decision.

Lindell was a hard-luck loser in a 3-2 decision against No. 1 ranked Joel Bauman, of Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunberg, in the first round.