OMAHA -- The first day of the Nebraska State Wrestling Championships in Omaha saw one Winside wrestler get through to Friday’s semifinals.
Senior 195-pounder Michael Jensen won both of his matches to earn a trip to the semifinals. Five other Winside Wildcats — Jacoby Mann (106), Cayden Ellis (113), Koby Ellis (120), Gabe Escalante (126) and Art Escalante (138) — will have to wrestle through the consolation rounds Friday to earn a spot on the medal stand.
LCC’s Ethan Williams won his first-round match before dropping a heartbreaking 8-7 decision to fall into the second round of consolations.
Wayne's Reece Jaqua (120) and Juan Vergara (138) both won their first-round matches before losing in the quarterinals in Class B action. Cameron Muhs (126) and Reid Korth (160) both fell in the first round and will wrestle in the first-round consolations on Friday.
For Wakefield/Allen, Isaac Verzani reached the quarterfinals before falling to the consolation bracket at 152 pounds, while Charlie Lopez lost his opening-round match at 132 pounds.
Class A and Class D first- and second-round consolations will start at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, with Class B and Class C consolations following at 12:30 p.m. The semifinals and third-round consolations start at 5 p.m.
Area Results
Class D
106: Jacoby Mann, Winside — dec. by Hunter Bennett, Elkhorn Valley, 6-1.
113: Cayden Ellis, Winside — dec. Logan Peterson, South Loup, 7-6; maj. dec. by Cameron Wilkinson, Neligh-Oakdale, 10-1.
120: Koby Ellis, Winside — maj. dec. Josh Spatz, East Butler, 10-2; pinned by Shaye Wood, Central Valley, 5:57.
126: Gabe Escalante, Winside — dec. by Coy Gideon, Burwell, 8-7.
138: Art Escalante, Winside — dec. Jaden Henderson, Medicine Valley, 12-8; dec. by Connor Sunderup, Fullerton, 16-11.
195: Michael Jensen, Winside — pinned Zane Musgrave, Hyannis, 1:47; maj. dec. Justin Brock, Nebraska Christian, 20-8.
220: Ethan Williams, LCC — pinned Luke Howitt, Maxwell, 4:42; dec. by Peyton Cone, Bergan, 8-7.
Class B
120: Reece Jaqua, Wayne -- dec. Cesar Sandoval, Conestoga, 8-7; tech. fall by Paul Ruff, Alliance, 16-1.
126: Cameron Muhs, Wayne -- dec. by Gage Perry, Columbus Lakeview, 5-2.
138: Juan Vergara, Wayne -- maj. dec. Breckin Loftin, Cozad, 10-2; dec. by Joel Lemburg, Columbus Lakeview, 6-5.
160: Reid Korth, Wayne -- maj. dec. by Zeth Gerkensmeyer, Columbus Lakeivew, 17-5.
Class C
132: Charlie Lopez, Wakefield/Allen -- pinned by Jadden Traffer, Ravenna, 4:46.
152: Isaac Verzani, Wakefield/Allen -- maj. dec. Gunnar Battershaw, Valentine, 12-3; pinned by Kile Bentley, Centura, 2:29.
