Sidney, Bridgeport sending wrestlers to Girls State Championships

BAYARD, Neb. — Multiple wrestlers from across the Nebraska Panhandle region punched their tickets to the state tournament Saturday at the Class B-4 District Tournament in Bayard. 

Bayard’s Carlie McKibbin (100 pounds- 40-3) dominated on her home mat, securing the district title with a 17-1 technical fall over Mitchell’s Avalina Stoner in the finals. 

Bridgeport finished fourth in the team standings with 94 points. The Bulldogs were led by Kyra Robbins (125 pounds), who claimed gold with a 13-6 decision over Chase County’s Paige Owens. Hayden Marks (190 pounds) finished runner up. At 120 pounds, Elizabeth Menke battled to a third-place finish, pinning Saije Phelps of Sandhills Valley in 2:44. Bridgeport’s Morgan Amateis (130 pounds) and Cammie Rader (140 pounds) each placed fourth.

Chase County’s Hayley Rusher (145 pounds) remained undefeated at 43-0, dominating the final with an 11-1 major decision over Battle Creek’s Carrington Uhlir. Paige Owens (125 pounds) secured second place in a hard-fought match against Bridgeport’s Robbins, and Peyton Owens (140 pounds) finished as the runner-up after falling to Battle Creek’s Taylor Ahlman.

Sidney’s Saphira Whitley (170 pounds) pinned Chadron’s Vivian Golembiewski in 4:32 to claim first place. The Lady Raiders finished 11th. 

Ogallala’s Tyra Lewis (130 pounds) claimed a third-place finish, pinning Bridgeport’s Amateis in 2:12, while Perkins County’s Haley Dunn (190 pounds) fought her way to a third-place finish, defeating Skylar Johnson of Paxton with a fall in 4:08.

Overall, Battle Creek took home the team title with 148 points, followed by Conestoga (125.5) and Southwest (103). 

The Nebraska School Activities Association Girls State Wrestling Championships are Feb. 18-19 at the CHI Health Center in Omaha.