What you need to know for the Nebraska high school state wrestling tournament

The NSAA State Boys Wrestling Championship begins its three-day run on Thursday, February 19th at the CHI Health Center in Omaha. Historic storylines abound for the weekend as two wrestlers attempt to become four-time champions.

Wrestling begins at 9:30 AM on Thursday and concludes with the championship finals, broadcast live on Nebraska Public Media, scheduled for 3:00 PM on Saturday afternoon. 

State Tournament information can be found at the following links. NFHS Livestream | Live Results | Class A Brackets | Class B Brackets | Class C Brackets | Class D Brackets

Class A: Creighton Prep Favored to Repeat as Class A Champions

The Junior Jays of Creighton Prep won their first state championship in wrestling last season. After dominating at the state duals and districts, they are the odds on favorite to bring home the trophy again. 

Head coach Andrew Fisher and company have 12 qualifiers out of the A1 District. 

“There were some great matches and I thought our guys did a great job of putting together takedowns and turns, getting themselves in the best position possible for state,” Fisher said of the Jays district performance.

As far as playing the role of the favorite. Fisher mentioned his team is focused and ready. “We are excited for the opportunity to go back to back and we are laser focused on the matches in front of us for each individual.”

There is quite the chase pack in Class A. Kearney, Grand Island, Lincoln East, Columbus and Millard South appear to be positioned for a battle for the runner-up trophy. Who will emerge from that group?

Kearney qualified all 14 wrestlers for the second straight season, a testament to the depth in their wrestling room. Bearcat head coach Ryan Bauer praised the next man up mentality of his team. 

“Getting all 14 to state is just a testament to these guys, and just our entire team in general,” he said. “We’ve had a number of guys step up from JV into varsity, and you wouldn’t be able to tell it. Their goals have always been big, and they’ve known they are capable of doing big things state wise right away. 

The Bearcats finished ahead of Grand Island in the district tournament, after a few dual losses and narrow loss in their conference tournament. They’re trending in the right direction and excited to compete. 

“There is zero doubt in my mind that we will have 14 guys go out and leave it all out there this weekend.” Bauer added. “Win or lose, I am proud of this group and have enjoyed every moment of this season.”

Class A Notes

Zaiyahn Ornelas of Creighton Prep Going for Four

Ornelas will be going for his fourth gold, but after transferring from Class C Wilber-Clatonia to Creighton Prep, will be doing so in a different singlet than the other three. The future Husker has only one loss in his high school career, and last season didn’t even surrender an offensive point. 

Petersen and Meink Going for Three

Mason Petersen (157) of Columbus and Kiernan Meink (138) from Millard South are both going for their third golds. Petersen was third as freshman and won gold the past two seasons. Meink has gone gold, bronze, gold. Both have earned All-American honors on the national level, and are the top seeds at their weights.

Dominant Dominguez

Dominguez will be going for his second gold his sophomore season. Against Nebraska competition the past two seasons, his closest match is a 13-point win. 

Unbeatens

Carter Booze (113, Columbus, 49-0), Khy’Ree Thomas-Calloway (113, Omaha Bryan, 48-0), Creighten Lassen (132, Millard West, 49-0), Mason Petersen (157, Columbus, 51-0), Preston Wagner (285, Fremont, 44-0). 

Class B: Omaha Skutt Catholic Looking to Cement New Dynasty

The Omaha Skutt dynasty is in full effect in Class B. The Skyhawks are favored to bring home their third state team title in the last four years, to go along with four straight dual titles. 

Head coach Chas DeVetter has some high praise for the upperclassmen who have taken leadership roles on the team.

“We have some incredible senior leaders who have led the way and helped lead the way for a long time including Riley Johnson, Niko Rotella, Tyler Harrill, Isaac Christo and Gavin Ourada.” Coach DeVetter said. “Ben Ziola is not a senior, but has been a great leader as well.”

To go along with the Skyhawk upperclassmen they have some young and hungry wrestlers that are vying for their first podium spots this season. “We have a talented group of young guys as well that have benefited greatly from being around these vets.” DeVetter mentioned.

Bennington has been a mainstay towards the top of Class B for several years now. They are tied for the most qualifiers in Class B at 12 with Skutt and York, and were the runner-up to the Skyhawks at the state duals. 

Badger head coach Alan Pokorny knows it’ll be tough to keep pace with Skutt, but will take things one match at a time. 

“In order to catch them we would have to wrestle perfectly and Skutt would have to fall apart. Our main goal is to control what we can control and focus one match at a time. If we do that we should be fine,” Pokorny said. “Beatrice will be a tough one to fend off with their high end point potential. Getting 12 wrestlers through our tough district (four of the top-10 ranked teams) was important to help us reach our goals at state. 

“We feel each wrestler can contribute in team points at the state tournament.”

York is positioned well with 12 state qualifiers, and should battle with the likes of Beatrice and Bennington for a team trophy. 

Class B Notes

Tyler Harrill Going for Four

Skutt Catholic’s Tyler Harrill (165) will be looking to become a four-time state champion on Saturday at the CHI Center. Harrill has wrestled against some of the best competition in the country throughout his career, and is well prepared for the spotlight. 

Riley Johnson and Ben Ziola going for Three

Two more Skutt Catholic competitors will be attempting to capture their third state gold. Riley Johnson (190) finished second as a freshman before winning gold the past two seasons. Ziola (150) is looking to go three-for-three as a junior. Ziola won at 106 as a freshman, jumped three weight classes to 126 as a sophomore, and four weights to 150 this season.  Both Ziola and Johnson are the top seeds in their weight classes.

Childers Looking to Repeat

Alliance’s Coy Childers was the champion at 113 last season. He started this season at 126, but flip flopped with his twin brother Jett who was at 132. Childers holds the top seed now at 132 and will attempt to stay on track for four golds by winning number two as a sophomore. 

Unbeatens

Dominic Olson (126, Waverly, 43-0), Tristan Campbell (144, McCook, 39-0), Konrad Kuzelka (175, Fairbury, 40-0), Logan Rowell (215, Auburn, 41-0).

Class C: Exciting Team Race in Store 

Last season’s Class C Team Race came down to the final match. 

Battle Creek watched on as Pierce’s Brenden Bolling won the 150-pound title which ensured Battle Creek would remain one point ahead of Minden and win their second straight Class C team title. Cedar Catholic was not far behind, just 11.5 points back.

This season has all the makings of another team race that may not be decided until Saturday. Battle Creek is in good shape heading in, as they have the most qualifiers in Class C with ten. 

Battle Creek head coach Cody Wintz was proud of his team’s effort at districts. 

“We got 10 guys through our district, which was a great start for us,” he said. “I really believe we are wrestling our best right now and I’m excited to watch our crew battle for 3 days this weekend. I think we’ve got a motivated crew of guys who are expecting to wrestle well, and if we can do that we should put ourselves in a good position.

“It’s setting up to be a great tournament again in Class C and we are hoping to be in that mix on Saturday.”

Pierce has beaten Battle Creek in two duals, including the State Dual semifinals where they’d go on to win. They pushed seven qualifiers through a tough C4 district and should be firmly in the mix. 

Cedar Catholic has five qualifiers, but major firepower, with two returning state champions (Easton and Bodie Hochstein) and two returning silver medalists (Maverick Heine and Brady Hochstein). Will those points be enough to keep pace with Battle Creek and others with more qualifiers?

A team that has ascended the ranks this season is Central City. The Bison finished in second in Kearney at the State Duals. Some late season lineup changes have put them in the conversation for a trophy in Class C.

Bison head coach Darin Garfield has the team peaking at the right time. 

“We are very excited for the state tournament. We have a group of guys that are really starting to hit on all cylinders,” Garfield said. “We work all year with the goal to peak in February. The Bison will be ready.”

The Class C team race could shape up to be one of the best storylines of the three-day tournament. 

Class C Notes

Hochstein Brothers Eyeing Three Gold Medals

Twins Bodie (144) and Easton (150) Hochstein along with older brother Brady (165) are all the top seeds in their respective weights. If all were to go on to win gold, it appears it would be the first time three brothers have ever won it in the same season. 

David City’s Hayden Schmit Looking for Fourth Finals Appearance

Hayden Schmit finished as a state runner-up his first two seasons, before bringing home the gold to David City last season. He will attempt to become a four-time finalist and two-time champion for the Scouts to end a wonderful high school career. 

Schweitzer’s Dominant Season

Central City sophomore Ace Schweitzer was a Class B State Champion at 106 last season. Central City dropped to C this year, and Schweitzer has once again been dominant at 106. He has 47 pins and one technical fall on the season. He has yet to go the distance in a match; looking to stay on pace for four state championships. 

Freshman Weidner Looking to Complete Unbeaten Season

Easton Weidner of Doniphan-Trumbull is a perfect 51-0 on the season, and is one of the frontrunners at C113. His path to a title could go through two state silver medalists from 2025 in Erik Prado of Johnson County and Jace Martin of Wood River. Weidner has two wins over Martin this season.

Unbeatens

Schweitzer (106, Central City, 48-0), Weidner (113, Doniphan-Trumbull, 51-0), Bodie Hochstein (144, Cedar Catholic, 48-0), Easton Hochstein (150, Cedar Catholic, 48-0), Alex Meinecke (175, St. Paul, 45-0), Kyler Boyles (190, Superior, 45-0), Jared Doxey (285, Winnebago, 51-0), Evan Lutkemeier (285, Minden, 12-0).

Class D: Burwell Looks to Defend Title, Plainview and Aquinas Lurking 

Last season it was Burwell that emerged as the state champion team in Class D, ending Aquinas’s run at the top of Class D. Both teams should be in the mix once again in what appears to be a very competitive team race in store for the weekend. 

It’s hard to point to a definitive favorite this week as the margin for error for several teams is razor thin. 

Burwell Longhorn head coach Evan Gideon knows it’s important to get out to a good start on Thursday. “I think after Thursday night will be the big story line to how this team race plays out, ” he said. 

The Longhorns will have to fend off the likes of Plainview, Aquinas, Southern and Shelby-Rising City in order to repeat. These teams all have the firepower and numbers to make a run at it.

Plainview won three straight from 2019 through 2021 and will be looking to get back to the top of Class D. Pirate head coach Dean Boyer expects a battle to the end. 

“The team race will be very tight just like it was in 2019 when we won. I expect it to be settled late on Saturday,” Boyer said. “I see teams that have a similar number of kids making the finals. It will be won by the team that wrestles back the best in the consolations.

“I think our team will be right in the mix. We have great kids that have practiced outstanding all year. We will be a tough out for anyone who steps on the mat with us.”

Gideon is also looking forward to the weekend ahead. 

“ We are really excited to be a part of the team race and our guys have that extra will to win,” he added.

There should be some pivotal battles across the board with Aquinas, Southern and Shelby-Rising City all looking to push multiple wrestlers into the finals as well. 

Class D Notes

Two-time Champs Jensen and Guzman in the same weight

While there are a lot of great matchups in store this weekend, this one might be the most high profile in all of Nebraska. Two wrestlers who have their eyes on four state titles are both at the same weight in Class D. Brody Jensen of Burwell and Uriel ‘Cookie’ Guzman of Palmer could clash in the state finals on Saturday. Jensen started the season at 126, before moving up to 132. They’ve met once before, with Jensen winning by a 16-3 major decision. 

Sophomores on Track for Four State Golds 

Three wrestlers will be looking to stay on track for four state titles by striking gold in their sophomore seasons; Adryck Stewart (120) of Plainview, Lincoln Nekoliczak (126) of Central Valley and Drake Troxel (Southern). Troxel was the only one to win districts last week, so it won’t be an easy road. There is also added pressure on the team side as each of the three teams are top five contenders.

Aquinas Freshmen Duo at 106

Class D allows two entries in weight classes as long as the roster doesn’t go over 14 wrestlers. Aquinas has two phenomenal 106 pound wrestlers. Top ranked Jaydyn Schommer is the favorite to win gold as a freshman. A potential finals opponent of his? Teammate Camden DeWispelare. They’ve already wrestled six times throughout the season, with Schommer winning each of those matchups, including the one in the district finals. They are on opposite sides of the bracket, and there is a possibility of them meeting in the state finals, which would be a first in state history. 

Unbeatens

Beau Johnson (126, Plainview, 44-0), Corbin Hoefer (144, Neligh-Oakdale, 50-0), Briggs Hill (144, Arapahoe, 48-0), Coy Vrbka (215, Shelby-Rising City, 39-0), Levi Gall (285, Clarkson-Leigh, 44-0).