CANTON – Aberdeen Central turned in a solid day of wrestling at the unofficial girls’ state dual tournament on Friday.

The Golden Eagles stopped Watertown 48-24, lost on criteria to Canton in the semifinals in a dual that finished 36-36, and then fell to Lakota Tech 39-30 in the third place match.

“It was nice to go in with something better than what we were expected,” said Central coach Jake Flakus, noting that Central was seeded sixth going into the event.

After splitting two duals with Watertown during the season, the Eagles were able to double up the Arrows on Friday.

“We gave up three forfeits, so we were kind of down off the bat, but our team got it rolling,” Flakus said. “We had some good pins.”

Flakus pointed out one match in particular.

“Rakyrah Wallace had the match of the day,” Flakus said. “This is the fifth time she wrestled the Watertown girl and we were 0-4 against her and this time we got the upper hand. She just stayed in the match and got a really big pin, and then we kept it rolling.”

The semifinal dual with Canton was a back and forth battle the entire way.

“We’d win one, and then lose won, then win one and then lose one, and it came down to the final weight,” Flakus said. “To even give us a chance at a tie, Lilly Nelson had to bump up, and (she) did what Lilly does and went out there and got a pin. We ultimately lost the dual because of criteria.”

The Eagles then got off to a rough start before finishing strong against Lakota Tech.

“We did not have a good start,” Flakus said. “Some of our girls that are normally winners and pinners got beat.”

Central was then able to string wins together and finished the match strong, capped by a win by Nina Howard in the final match.

“Our heavyweight Nina had a great match,” Flakus said. “She was on her back and bridged off her back and put the other girl on her back, and had a really big win.”

Flakus was pleased with his team’s performances on the day.

“I’m really proud the way they competed,” he said, “and proud of the way they wrestled.”

The Eagles, who had a dual on Thursday, will now compete for the third straight day when they wrestle in the Harrisburg Invitational today. Central will cap off its regular season at the Eastern South Dakota Conference tournament Thursday in Harrisburg.

“We’re pushing hard at the end of the season,” Flakus said, “but then they’ll get a good long break before state.”

Aberdeen Central 48, Watertown 24
185: Allison Konrad (WATE) over (ABCE) (For.) 250: Eden Hach (WATE) over Nina Howard (ABCE) (Fall 0:16) 100: Olivia Anderson (WATE) over (ABCE) (For.) 107: Brooklynn Randall (WATE) over (ABCE) (For.);

114: Madyson Gillen (ABCE) over Audrey Mack (WATE) (Fall 0:21) 120: Ula Martin (ABCE) over Hayden Thomas (WATE) (Fall 3:28) 126: Allison Neitzel (ABCE) over Avah Grismer (WATE) (Fall 0:59) 132: Jasmine Maas (ABCE) over Jeryn Fieber (WATE) (Fall 0:26);

138: Rakyrah Wallace (ABCE) over Katelyn Yexley (WATE) (Fall 5:22) 145: Lin Paw Jone (ABCE) over Nevaeh Schanbeck (WATE) (Fall 0:29) 152: Katrina Gibson (ABCE) over April Peterson (WATE) (Fall 5:26) 165: Lilly Nelson (ABCE) over Emma Wientjes (WATE) (Fall 1:08).

Canton 36, Aberdeen Central 36
250: Kiara King (CANT) over Nina Howard (ABCE) (Fall 1:17) 100: Finley Evjen (CANT) over (ABCE) (For.) 107: Madyson Gillen (ABCE) over Jewel Gannon (CANT) (Fall 0:21) 114: Sara Schroder (CANT) over (ABCE) (For.);

120: Jayrn Warejcka (CANT) over Ula Martin (ABCE) (Fall 5:44) 126: Allison Neitzel (ABCE) over Jersey Folkens (CANT) (Fall 1:01) 132: Jasmine Maas (ABCE) over Lakynn Qualseth (CANT) (Fall 2:43) 138: Kieonna Smith (CANT) over Rakyrah Wallace (ABCE) (Fall 3:18);

145: Lin Paw Jone (ABCE) over Kenzie King (CANT) (Fall 3:07) 152: Katrina Gibson (ABCE) over Kaylee Dean (CANT) (Fall 5:08) 165: Natalia Long (CANT) over (ABCE) (For.) 185: Lilly Nelson (ABCE) over Kori Wallner (CANT) (Fall 1:22).

Lakota Tech 39, Aberdeen Central 30
100: Jaynie Perkins (LATE) over (ABCE) (For.) 107: Brandy Marshall (LATE) over (ABCE) (For.) 114: Cante White Bull (LATE) over Madyson Gillen (ABCE) (Fall 0:44) 120: Lakota Rodgers (LATE) over Ula Martin (ABCE) (Dec 9-2);

126: Jessica Waln (LATE) over Allison Neitzel (ABCE) (Fall 2:35) 132: Giada Scherich (LATE) over Jasmine Maas (ABCE) (Fall 2:44) 138: Rakyrah Wallace (ABCE) over Sharaon Chief Eagle (LATE) (Fall 2:59) 145: Lin Paw Jone (ABCE) over Chloe Fire Thunder (LATE) (Fall 0:31);

152: Katrina Gibson (ABCE) over Sandra Moves Camp (LATE) (Fall 2:44) 165: Lilly Nelson (ABCE) over (LATE) (For.) 185: Eriah Big Crow (LATE) over (ABCE) (For.) 250: Nina Howard (ABCE) over Grace Eagle Elk (LATE) (Fall 3:06).