74 panhandle wrestlers will compete at The Nebraska State Wrestling Tournament, Feb. 14-16, at the Century Link Center in Omaha.
First Round and Quarterfinal matches will be held on Thursday, with consolation rounds and semifinals on Friday, followed by the medal rounds on Saturday.
The Alliance Bulldogs will sport eight wrestlers in Class B, including: 120 – Devin Ushio, (32-3) 126 – Walker Johnson, (34-9) 138 – Tyler Smith, (28-11) 145 – Manny Cabello, (11-14) 152 – Tyson Dowler, (25-0) 160 – Dawson Johnson, (36-7) 182 – Fernando Lopez, (10-9) 195 – Kyson Schnell, (33-15)
Alliance has two wrestlers that placed last year in the state wrestling tournament, Devin Ushio placed 6th at 113, while Dawson Johnson placed 6th at 152.
Seven wrestlers will represent Chadron in Class B, including; Daniel Goings at 106, (20-19) Trace Strotheide at 126, (30-10) Tate Cullers at 145, (22-15) Willy Cogdill at 152, (22-12) Colby Riesen at 160, (37-3) Chance Bila at 170, (35-0) and Cooper Cogdill at 182 (23-3).
For the Cardinal Wrestlers, Colby Riesen and Chance Bila are district champions. Chance Bila takes an undefeated record to state, while Riesen has only lost 3 times. Riesen and Bila who are both seniors, Colby placed 6th as a sophomore at weight 145 and 3rd at 160 last year, while Chance placed 5th at 152.
Gordon-Rushville qualified three wrestlers in Class C: Garrett Shadbolt at 113, (24-11) Casey Glassgow at 138, (32-12) and Ken Graham at 170 (25-13).
Hay Springs is sending five wrestlers in Class D, including three district champions. Chris Ray won the 120 title, (33-6), Joey Johnson was the 132 champ, (36-7), and Steven Horrocks was the champion at 220 (37-3). Levi Ray at 126 (30-6) and Jordan Houser at 170 (14-16) will join their teammates in Omaha.
The other area Class D state qualifiers are Hemingford’s Cooper Weber at 106 (13-17), Lee Jespersen at 113 (22-14) and Cash Weber at 138 (10-4). Crawford will send Slade Martinez at 106 (19-10) and Taylor Alcorn at 220 (16-12), while William Skavdahl at 145 (5-24) will make the trip from Sioux County.
29 Panhandle Wrestlers from will compete in Class B, 10 in Class C, and 35 in Class D, including 10 from Bayard.