Washington junior Kyle Anderson attempts to turn Fort Madison’s Kaleb Duerre to his back during their match January 7. Photo by KCII’s Nate Gonner.

Four wrestling squads will battle at Washington High School tonight for one spot in next week’s state dual tournament. The No. 7 Washington Demon wrestling team (29-1 overall) welcomes No. 11 Mediapolis Bulldogs (17-4 overall), No. 14 Williamsburg Raiders (18-3 overall), and the West Liberty Comets (19-5) to town for the state qualifying Class 2A Regional Dual tournament.

The Demons are set to grapple West Liberty in the semifinals.  Each team has one wrestler ranked in the latest the Predicament poll. Washington junior Kyle Anderson (132; 36-8) is the ninth best wrestler in the 132 pound weight class, while West Liberty sophomore Bryce Esmoil (195; 42-0) is undefeated in 42 matches this season and ranks second in the 195 pound weight class.

The other regional dual pits No. 11 Mediapolis against  No. 14 Williamsburg. The Bulldogs have five wrestlers ranked in the latest the Predicament poll including Shea Swafford (132; 3rd), Brennan Swafford (138; 6th), Mason Buster (145; 6th), Luke Erikson (182; 7th), and Ethan Timmerman (195; 8th). Williamsburg’s Vic Malloy (182; 4th) is the Raider’s only wrestler ranked in the Predicament Class 2A rankings.

The winners of each semifinal dual will battle in the championship dual. The victor in the championship match will qualify for next Wednesday’s dual state tournament in Des Moines. KCII Sports will have live play-by-play coverage of Washington wrestling beginning with the Washington Hy-Vee Pregame Show at 5:30 p.m. on FM 106.1 and KCIIRadio.com.