Charged wrestling champions hole state support 113 pounds in semifinals

Win a state title is never easy, but the way for the defending champions Mederios Mountain Home Pierce and Dante Carreno Caldwell has become much more difficult.

support 113 pounds of the 4A classification is one of the toughest wrestling state tournament, with two champions, one runner and a pair of underwriters.

Dante Dante Carreno Carreno Mederios Pierce Pierce Mederios

February 1

Pierce Mederios

"Every year there is always a weight class somewhere that has a lot of champions returning state, but this is quite exceptional," said Mountain Home coach Lynn Knudson. "It will be a battle to the end, but it's good to have that kind of competition."

After the first two rounds of competition Friday at Holt Arena, the field of 16 fighters was reduced to four, creating semifinals Saturday morning between Eddie top-seeded Daniel (32-2) and No. 4 Mininco Braeden Dickinson (37-9) Canyon Ridge, followed by No. 3 Carreno (25-5) vs. # 2 Mederios (40-2).

Mederios already has two state titles to his name, winning 98 in his first year and 106 in their second year. He also hit Carreno - the reigning champion in the 98 and a winner Rollie Lane - twice this season, including a 1-0 decision in the championship game Three 4A District Tournament.

"One-thirteen is tough this year for sure, but all it does is make me better for the future," Mederios said. "It's very exciting to be on a stand that way. Nobody wants to walk through."

After extra time and lost one point to Mederios, Carreño is ready for another shot at the state champion two times.

"First demolition will always win, and then just ride it out and finish strong," Carreno said. "Just push the pace."

Although Mederios is the most decorated of the four semifinalists, their two losses this season came against Daniel and Dickinson.

"Both me feel I could have won if I fought better," Mederios said.

Before Mederios can focus on avenging a defeat, which will have to overcome Carreno a third time.

"It will probably be very close, but I hope the distance to this a little more than the last couple" Mederios said.

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