DES MOINES - Xavier High School wrestlers Josh Gerke and Alex Francois  split their two matches at the Class 3A state tournament Thursday and  are alive in the wrestle-backs.

Gerke, who is ranked No. 4 in Class 3A at 145 pounds, was nipped by  second-ranked Grant Stotts of West Des Moines Valley, 5-4, in a tough  opening-round match for both grapplers.

Gerke defeated Dalton Woodyard of Waverly-Shell Rock, 7-4, in a  consolation match and will wrestle again Friday.

Francois was pinned in the first round at 220 pounds, but he rebounded  and pinned Gage Linahon of Newton in 3:42 in a consolation match to  stay alive in the tournament.

Patrick Chambers was pinned in both of his matches at 126 pounds.  Chambers finished his sophomore campaign with a 29-20 record for Xavier.