ST. PAUL – Top-seeded Jackson County Central won three of the last four matches to claim a 41-27 win over fifth-seeded West Central Area-Ashby-Brandon-Evansville in the semifinals of the state Class 1A wrestling tournament at Xcel Energy Center Thursday.
The Knights won three of four matches from 145-170 pounds to draw within 23-21.
Caleb Vancura won by fall at 182 pounds and then Will Freking trailed 5-4 entering the third period at 195 before recording a pin at the 5:47 mark to give the Huskies an insurmountable 35-21 lead.
The teams traded falls in the final two matches.
Earlier in the day, JCC won 52-9 over Maple River/United South Central.
The Huskies, 23-3, face third-seeded Royalton/Upsala (25-1) for the state title at 7 p.m.
The Royals made their way to the finals by beating United North Central 49-16 and Dover-Eyota 34-33.
JCC and R/U have not met in a dual this season but have seen each other at two tournaments.
The Royals were in Jackson for the Pizza Ranch Invitational on Dec. 11, with Jackson County Central placing first in the 14-team field with 214 points with Royalton/Upsala second with 171.
At the Rumble on the Red in Fargo over the holiday break, the Huskies won the 61-team tournament with the Royals sixth.
Jackson County Central 52, Maple River/United South Central 9
106 - Isaac Rodriguez (JCC) dec. Wyatt Walters (MR) 9-7
113 - Nolan Ambrose (JCC) pinned Kolt Bullerman (MR) 0:38
120 - Kie Anderson (JCC) pinned Braxton Simon (MR) 1:29
126 - Landon Andrews (JCC) dec. Ethan Elvebak (MR) 9-4
132 - Logan Butzon (JCC) dec. Boden Simon (MR) 3-2
138 - Thomas Freking (JCC) maj. dec. Byron Getchell (MR) 8-0
145 - Ethan Evenson (MR) dec. Dylan Withers (JCC) 3-1
152 - Konner Harpestad (MR) dec. Isaiah Rodriguez (JCC) 7-6
160 - Payton Handevidt (JCC) pinned Cooper Ochsendorf (MR) 3:11
170 - Matthew Haley (JCC) dec. Noah Ziegler (MR) 12-5
182 - Caleb Vancura (JCC) pinned Laken Ivie (MR) 2:31
195 – Will Freking (JCC) pinned Collin Van Cleave (MR) 0:39
220 - Thayne Decker (MR) dec. Trace Michelson (JCC) 10-4
285 - Cameron Scholten (JCC) pinned Colten Berkner (MR) 1:35
Jackson County Central 41, West Central Area-Ashby-Brandon-Evansville 27
106 - Owen Gruchow (WCAABE) pinned Isaac Rodriguez (JCC) 0:45
113 - Nolan Ambrose (JCC) pinned Carter Lohse (WCAABE) 1:16
120 - Kie Anderson (JCC) pinned Adam Lohse (WCAABE) 1:05
126 - Mason Richter (WCAABE) pinned Landon Andrews (JCC) 1:45
132 - Logan Butzon (JCC) dec. Hunter Gruchow (WCAABE) 12-7
138 - Thomas Freking (JCC) dec. Solomon Wales (WCAABE) 4-3
145 - Reubens Swanson (WCAABE) dec. Dylan Withers (JCC) 4-2
152 - Ashton Danner (WCAABE) dec. Isaiah Rodriguez (JCC) 16-14
160 - Payton Handevidt (JCC) tech fall Jeremy Blascyk (WCAABE) 19-4
170 - Anthony Sykora (WCAABE) dec. Matthew Haley (JCC) 6-1
182 - Caleb Vancura (JCC) pinned Gavin Flint (WCAABE) 0:57
195 – Will Freking (JCC) pinned Beau Robinson (WCAABE) 5:47
220 - Colton Lindquist (WCAABE) pinned Trace Michelson (JCC) 3:28
285 - Cameron Scholten (JCC) pinned Tyler Stone (WCAABE) 4:25
Class 1A team tournament
Quarterfinals
Jackson County Central 52, Maple River/United South Central 9
West Central Area-Ashby-Brandon-Evansville 34, Kimball Area 33
Dover-Eyota 30, Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa 26
Royalton/Upsala 49, United North Central 16
Semifinals
Jackson County Central 41, West Central Area-Ashby-Brandon-Evansville 27
Royalton/Upsala 34, Dover-Eyota 33
Consolation semifinals
Kimball Area 39, Maple River/United South Central 23
United North Central 34, Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa 30
Championship
Jackson County Central (23-3) vs. Royalton/Upsala (25-1), 7 p.m.
Third place
West Central Area-Ashby-Brandon-Evansville (24-5) vs. Dover-Eyota (19-9), 5 p.m.
Consolation championship
Kimball Area (21-7) vs. United North Central (19-6), 5 p.m.