Alburnett leads Class 1A team race heading into state semifinals

DES MOINES - Alburnett Coach Kane Thompson was not ready to start patting his Pirates on the back. He knows too many points are available to snag before any comfort feelings can surface.The top-ranked Pirates did lead the team race after the quarterfinals and second-round consolations of the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 3A state wrestling tournament Friday at Wells Fargo Arena. Alburnett had five semifinalists, tallying 66 points and giving the Pirates a 21-point advantage on Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont."I don't feel this tournament is wrapped up by any means," Thompson said. "There are a lot of points to be had in the semifinals."Ben Moyer (106), Zach Fowler (113), Conner Shulista (138), Bryce Paul (145) and defending state champion Dylan Windield at 170, all advanced and secured a top-six finish. Two-time state champion Hunter Washburn lost a quarterfinal match to Lisbon's top-ranked Carter Happel and lost the following consolation bout.The Rockets have four semifinalists - Jeren Glosser (138), Blake Marolf (145), Tucker Black (152) and 160-pounder Tyler Foubert - and 170-pounder Dillon Pigsley left in consolations.Clarion-Goldfield is third with 41 1/2, while Wilton and Woodbury Central round out the top five.Lisbon is sixth as a team, scoring 28 1/2 points. Happel and Nick Williams (120) moved on to the semifinals. The Lions' Matt Montgomery assured himself of a top-eight finish at 195.Highland is a half-point back of Lisbon. The Huskies' Drew West (103) and 138-pounder Travis Cole reached the semifinals.