Eight Wayne Youth Wrestling combatants took part in the Nebraska USA Wrestling state tournament over the weekend in Grand Island, and the local kids came home with a state champion among its three top-eight placers.
Ryden Hanson won the Pre-K 46-pound championship, going 3-0 on the day with one pin. He won his first-place match on a 4-1 decision.
Merrick Miller came back from a semifinal loss to earn the third-place medal in the Pre-K 57-59 pound weight class. He went 3-1 on the day, with all three wins coming by pin.
Dakota Spann finished eighth in the 175-pound weight bracket for seventh and eighth graders, coming back from a first-round loss to win three matches before losing his final two to place eighth overall.
Other Wayne wrestlers competing included:
Noah Magnuson — 0-2 in Grade 1-2 56-pound weight class.
Jahiem Hamik — 0-2 in Grade 1-2 75-pound weight class.
Will Leseberg — 1-2 in Grade 5-6 70-pound weight class.
Kingston Hanson — 0-2 in Grade 5-6 140-pound weight class.
Cooper Zara — 2-2 in Grade 7-8 150-pound weight class.
