Cyclones give No. 6 Warriors stern challenge

SERGEANT BLUFF -- Harlan Community’s first trip in six years to the regional wrestling duals didn’t result in a victory, but the experience was anything but a total loss.
Facing the sixth-ranked dual team in Class 2-A, the unranked Cyclones grabbed early leads of 15-0 and 18-6 but were unable to score enough wins or bonus points to pull off the upset.
Leading by just four points with two matches to go, Sergeant Bluff-Luton finished strong with a pair of first-period pins to beat HCHS, 41-25, in the semifinal round. The unbeaten Warriors then topped Spirit Lake-Park 44-27 in the championship final to clinch a trip to Wednesday’s State Dual Tournament in Des Moines.
SB-L (14-0) will be seeded sixth in the 2-A field and face 3rd-seeded Creston/O-M (17-0) in a first-round matchup.
The Cyclones, who will have five individuals competing in Saturday’s 2-A District meet at Atlantic, finished the dual season at 17-11 overall.