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Facing a semifinal matchup with a two-time defending state champion and unbeaten top-ranked wrestler in a bracket with another 35-match winner Sam Aitchison knew earn a berth at the state wrestling meet would be a challenge.

Aitchison proved he was up to that challenge on Saturday.

The Regina junior bounced back from a semifinal loss to earn his first state meet appearance with a runner-up finish at 145 pounds as Regina qualified three wrestlers for the state meet at the Class 1A, District 8 meet on Saturday in Wapello.

Unbeaten Lisbon junior Robert Avila Jr. (30-0) pinned Aitchison in 3:09 in the championship match on his way to the 145-pound title.

Aitchison (18-9) didn’t let that loss stop him from advancing.

He received a bye into the wrestle back match where he edged Wapello senior Christopher Ewart 8-6 in sudden victory to secure a spot at state.

Junior Aidan Udell and sophomore Ronan Poynton also punched their tickets to the state wrestling meet that opens next Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines with runner-up finishes on Saturday.

Sixth-ranked Udell pinned Sabian Mesinas of North Cedar in 45 seconds in the semifinal before dropping a 7-4 decision to eighth-ranked Max Kohl of Lisbon in the 170-pound title match.

Udell (21-4) will be making his second consecutive state meet appearance after going 1-2 at the state meet last season as a sophomore.

Poynton won a 9-4 decision over West Branch senior Morgan Hartz in the 195-pound semifinals before being pinned by sixth-ranked Truman Krob of Lisbon in 3:25 in the title match.

Poynton (18-3) won a 9-0 decision over Owen Housman of Wapello in the wrestle back match to secure his spot at state.

Junior Caden Shetler was fourth at 285 for Regina while sophomore Christopher Waikel was fourth at 182 for the Regals.

Hartz finished fourth at 195 and freshman Cale Seydel was fourth at 132 for West Branch.

Class 1A, District 8

At Wapello

Team scores – 1. Lisbon 197.5; 2. Wilton 108; 3. Midland 66; 4. Wapello 49; 5. Highland 43; 6. Regina 38; 7. Mediapolis 24; 8. Louisa-Muscatine 21; 9. North Cedar 20; 10. Durant 14; 11. WACO 14; 12. Northeast 8;

Individual qualifiers; Area placewinners

106 – 1. Brody Brisker (WIL) pinned Easton Schlabaugh (HIG) 1:39

113 – 1. Bryce Thompson (HIG) major dec. Garrett Burkle (WIL) 17-3

120 – 1. Brandon Paez (LIS) tech. fall Ethan Gast (DUR) 18-3

126 – 1. Cade Siebrecht (LIS) dec. Damon Huston (MID) 4-1

132 – 1. Quincy Happel (LIS) dec. Quinten Aney (MED) 3-2; 4. Cale Seydel (WB)

138 – 1. Kael Brisker (WIL) pinned Indy Harbaugh (LIS) 2:27

145 – 1. Robert Avila Jr. (LIS) pinned Christopher Ewart (WAP) 1:52; 2. Sam Aitchison (ICR)

152 – 1. Lincoln Holub (LIS) dec. Colton Cruse (WIL) 7-5 SV-1

160 – 1. Caden Ballou (MID) pinned Kaden Shirk (WIL) 3:22

170 – 1. Max Kohl (LIS) dec. Aidan Udell (ICR) 7-4

182 – 1. Cayden Miller (MID) pinned Jamien Moore (LIS) 5:33; 4. Christopher Waikel (ICR)

195 – 1. Truman Krob (LIS) pinned Ronan Poynton (ICR) 3:25; 4. Morgan Hartz (WB)

220 – 1. Cole Clark (LIS) pinned Spencer Kessel (L-M) :41; 2. Tyrrell Hughes (WIL)

285 – 1. Brant Baltes (LIS) pinned Landan Provino (WAC) :35; 5. Caden Shetler (ICR)

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