Five area wrestlers have advanced to the semifinals of the state wrestling tournament at the CHI Health Center in Omaha. Chadron has three wrestlers one win away from wrestling for a state championship while Gordon-Rushville has their own pair.
Kenli Boeselager is still in the hunt to repeat as the 145-lb state champion after a major decision and pin and Fia Rasmussen earned two pins and is searching for her first medal at 135-lbs. Quinn Bailey needed an overtime win in his first round match and a 6-2 decision in the quarters in an attempt to improve on his 5th place finish last year, this time at Class B 152-lbs.
Gordon-Rushville’s Kyler Vincent went 0-2 last year, but won convincingly twice on Thursday to advance in Class C at 138-lbs. Ashton Dane is going for his 4th straight medal and 2nd straight state championship, this time at 113-lbs in his only year with the Mustangs. He pulled off a pair of pins to make the semis.
There will be 14 other area wrestlers trying to roll through the consolation rounds on Friday morning. First up will be Crawford’s Paden Morava and Colton Mader and the Hay Springs trio of Jarhett Anderson, Wesley Jacobs and Anthony Running Hawk, in Class D.
Chadron’s Braden Underwood and Cardinal girls Brooklyn Hoffman and Addie Diers along with Tucker Banister, Jace Freeseman and Curtis Rittgarn of Gordon-Rushville will all compete in the late morning session of B, C and girls wrestlers.
Second round consolation wrestlers will be Rhett Cullers and Taylee Williamson of Chadron.
Action begins at 8:00 am on Friday morning.