OMAHA — Wayne senior Juan Vergara broke Wayne’s nine-year run without a medal at state and finished in high-flying style, scoring a takedown as time ran out in regulation to post a third-place finish at the Nebraska State Wrestling Championships.
The 138-pound Blue Devil senior was tied 1-1 with Miguel Roman of Schuyler, as both scored escapes from the down position in the second and third periods. The match appeared headed to overtime, but Vergara countered a Roman shot and spun around to get the takedown before time ran out to earn the 3-1 decision.
Vergara’s third-place medal is the first for a Wayne High wrestler since heavyweight Jorge Dunklau finished fourth in 2010. He also finished 43-2, tying the school record for wins in a season set in 2011 by Riley McManus.
Winside brought home two medals from state as seniors Koby Ellis and Michael Jensen both finished fifth. Ellis got a late second-period pin to take fifth at 120 pounds, while Jensen closed his career with a first-period pin to finish fifth at 195.
Area Final Results
Wayne
138: Juan Vergara — dec. Mason Brumbaugh (Hastings), 7-3; dec. Miguel Roman, Schuyler, 3-1. THIRD PLACE
Winside
120: Koby Ellis — dec. by Isaiah Shields (Amherst), 3-1; pinned Tyler Nagel (Morrill), 2:58. FIFTH PLACE
195: Michael Jensen — pinned by Zane Musgrave (Hyannis), 1:31; pinned Justin Brock (Nebraska Christian), :39. FIFTH PLACE
