Bailey, Welling Make State Semifinals, Girls Join Mix On Friday

Photo Courtesy/Dennis Brown/Chadrad Sports

At the conclusion of day one of the NSAA state wrestling championships, two area wrestlers remain in contention for a gold medal.

Chadron Freshman Quinn Bailey picked up a pair of 9-0 major decisions en route to the semifinals in Class B at 145-lbs. He will match up with Blair’s Landon Templar coming up Friday night.

Senior Kolby Welling of Crawford opened the meet with a pin in just 1:21 and followed it up with his own 9-0 decision in the quarterfinals at 182-lbs in Class D. Welling will have a tough task in Friday’s semifinals against undefeated Jestin Bayer of Howells-Dodge.

The day was also filled with heartbreak as Chadron’s Ryan Bickel held a 1-0 lead in his 1st round match until late in the 3rd period before being pinned with :14 seconds left. Tegan Snyder of Gordon-Rushville couldn’t manage any points in a 1-0 loss in the quarterfinals.

Three Chadron girls join the mix on Friday with the inaugural girls championships. Taylee Williamson, Fia Rasmussen, and Kenli Boeselager all hit the mats for their openers at 11:30 am MT.

There will be seven wrestlers in the 1st round of consolation and three more waiting in the 2nd round of consolation hoping to advance.

Coverage gets underway on KCSR and Chadrad.com a little after 8:30 am MT on Friday morning.