By Terry Douglass
terry.douglass@theindependent.com

Still, the veteran coach had to admit that it was difficult not to think about the ones that got away Thursday night at the Qwest Center.

While High Plains went 3-2 in the quarterfinals, the Storm's two losses included Caleb Church's controversial 11-9 overtime setback against 40-0 Chase Klingelhoefer of Amherst and Mitch Kobza's loss by fall in 3:04 to Ricky Lewis of Neligh-Oakdale. Kobza's setback was one that Manstedt largely chalked up to inexperience.

"Tonight was good, but it could have really been something," Manstedt said of his team's performance in the quarterfinals. "If we could've knocked off the Amherst wrestler he was undefeated that would've been huge.

"Mitch is just in his third year of wrestling, so he's come a long way in a hurry."

Still, High Plains finished day one in sixth place with 32 points. Howells leads the team chase 66-44 over East Butler.

Corbey Grause (38-5 at 130), Tanner Kuhn (35-9 at 140) and Clete Vrbka (36-11 at 189) all recorded two victories to secure medals and advance to Friday's semifinals. Grause earned his third career medal at state, posting 1n 11-2 major decision victory over Trent Brichacek of West Point Central Catholic and a 5-1 win over Brian Mills of Ansley/Arcadia.

Palmer is also looking to climb the ladder, entering Friday's competition in eighth place with 28 points. The Tigers have two semifinalists in Riley Santin (39-0 at 171) and Jack Wardyn (37-1 at 285).

"Overall, our kids did a good job," said Palmer coach Nathan Glause, whose team went 5-0 in the opening round. "We have some tough matches in the quarterfinal round. Three of our kids were probably outmatched a little bit by some very good wrestlers, but I think they should be able to come back (Friday) and get a medal."

Santin, who finished fifth at state at 171 last year as a freshman, remained unbeaten with a hard-earned 3-2 quarterfinal victory over Colby Legate of Neligh-Oakdale. He pinned Josh Emhovick of Maxwell in the first round in 1:42.

"Riley had a great win over a great wrestler," Glause said. "For him, being undefeated really doesn't mean anything. He knows that he could get beat at any time, so he's just kind of enjoying the moment and taking it to his guys.

"He was down here last year and medaled as a freshman, using the same approach, so he's kind of used to this stuff."