It was an up-and-down afternoon for the two Wayne High girls competing in the Nebraska State Wrestling Championships in Omaha.
Essynce Owens-Webb had fourth-ranked Carlie McKibbin down 4-0 in the second period at 100 pounds, then came back after being thrown for five points with a reversal to tie the match at 6-6. With time running out in the overtime period, a scramble went McKibbin’s way and she survived an 8-6 decision, moving Owens-Webb (30-10) to Friday’s consolation rounds.
The news was much better for Nyla Bolles, as she came through with a pair of pins to guarantee a medal and become Wayne’s second girl to reach the semifinals in as many years, following Jaycee Bruns' effort in 2023. She pinned Lillian Hagemann of Elkhorn Valley in 3:18 and followed with a 5:08 pinning of Kyra Hains of Lincoln East to move on to Friday evening’s semifinals against top-ranked Regan Rosseter of Omaha Westside.
