Western Nebraska wrestlers hit mats Saturday
COZAD, Neb. - Sidney senior Patrick McCartney claimed the 215-pound title with an 8-1 victory over Cozad’s Marcus Ruano at the Haymaker Invite in Cozad on Saturday. The Red Raiders finished seventh in the team standings.
Ogallala’s Diego Juarez captured the 106-pound title with a pin in 1:13 over Wahoo’s Grayson Styskal. Alliance’s Coy Childers dominated at 113 pounds, winning by technical fall (18-3) against Aurora’s Carson Krejci. Frost Wallace of Gering secured third in the same weight class with a 17-1 technical fall.
At 120 pounds, Evan Strom of Gering edged Sidney’s Kaine Hill in a 2-1 decision to take first place. Alliance’s Trini Trejo placed third at 126 pounds with a commanding 15-4 major decision, while Gering’s Jayden Hakert finished second at 132 pounds.
Gering’s Rece Knight earned gold at 175 pounds, defeating Lexington’s Cesar Cano 6-5 in the final. Alliance’s Lucas Weber added a fifth-place finish at 215 pounds, and Sidney’s Zech Roggasch placed fifth at 190 pounds.
In the team standings, Hastings won the tournament, followed by Aurora and Gretna East. Gering finished fourth, Alliance fifth and Ogallala sixth.
In Grant, at the Perkins County Invitational, Leyton’s Faith Lee took second in the 120-pound girls’ division, starting with a 33-second pin before falling in the finals. At 165 pounds, Isaac Rohde placed third with a decisive 15-6 major decision win.
Kimball’s Barbara Earley earned third at 105 pounds, pinning Sandhills Valley’s Lillyan Sheets in just over a minute. In the 170-pound bracket, Rebecca Koski finished second, while Noley Brower secured runner-up in the 235-pound girls’ division with a 4-1 decision.
South Platte’s Drake Arensdorf dominated the 138-pound bracket, winning by multiple pins, including a championship victory. Brayden Kendall excelled in the 175-pound division, capturing first with an 11-6 decision in the final.
Dundy County Stratton won the boys’ title with 59.5 points, and Mitchell Girls took the girls’ crown with 48 points.
Kimball's Mason Holmes dominated the 106-pound bracket at the Mullen Bronco Invite, pinning Anselmo-Merna’s Korbin Druery in 1:54 for first place. Teammate Cameron McGinnis earned second in the 144-pound division after a 13-10 decision loss to Breckyn Collins of North Platte Saint Patrick's.
Bridgeport was led by Illias Lehman, who secured the 150-pound title with a 1:26 pin over Paden Morava of Crawford. Jose Arreola took third in the same division, while Adam Staman placed second at 175 pounds.
Bridgeport finished second in the team standings with 119 points, behind North Platte Saint Patrick's (156). Kimball placed ninth with 65.5 points.