Multiple area wrestlers advance to championship Saturday in Omaha and Denver
Championship Saturday is loaded with local talent. Sidney, Scottsbluff, Alliance, Gering and Mitchell all have wrestlers competing for state titles in Omaha, while Sedgwick County/Fleming shines in Denver.
By News Channel Nebraska
Photo Courtesy: Jared Simonson / Sidney Raider Wrestling
OMAHA, Neb. — Championship Saturday will feature a strong contingent of Panhandle wrestlers competing for state titles and podium finishes at the Nebraska School Activities Association State Wrestling Championships at CHI Health Center and the Colorado High School Activities Association State Tournament at Ball Arena.
In Class B at 215 pounds, Sidney’s Cayson Boltjes (37-1) advanced to the finals with two pins and a semifinal decision. Boltjes opened with a 30-second fall over Nathan Duros of Fort Calhoun, pinned Alliance’s Lucas Weber in 2:42 and defeated Ty Thomsen of Bennington 7-2 in the semifinals. He will face Blaise Baughman of Blair for the championship.
Scottsbluff’s Daylon Adams (44-4) will wrestle for the Class B heavyweight title. Adams recorded a technical fall, a fall and another technical fall to reach the finals, where he will meet Aidan Summa.
Alliance’s Coy Childers (37-1) earned a berth in the 132-pound Class B final. Childers secured a technical fall, a pin and a 16-10 semifinal decision over Kepha Orsi of Omaha Skutt Catholic. He will wrestle Brody Schmitt of Ralston for the title.
Gering’s Rece Knight (43-4) advanced to the Class B 175-pound championship match. Knight pinned Wyatt Loftis of Blair, won in sudden victory over Zane Thomsen of Hastings and edged Grady Meyer of Wahoo 2-1 in the semifinals. He will face Niko Rotella of Omaha Skutt Catholic in the final.
Mitchell’s Drey Gardner (51-2) reached the Class C 126-pound final with a fall, a 4-0 decision and a 16-4 major decision. Gardner will wrestle Draydin Gossman of Pierce for the championship.
Several other area wrestlers will compete for third or placement medals. Scottsbluff’s Anthony Shifflett (106) and Oscar Brown (113) each advanced to third-place matches in Class B. Gering’s Frost Wallace (120) will wrestle for third after rebounding in the consolation bracket. Banner County’s Tate Olsen (113, Class D) will wrestle for fifth.
In Class C, Mitchell’s Gavin Cheek (144) will wrestle for fifth.
In Colorado, Sedgwick County/Fleming’s Cooper Edson (44-4) advanced to the Class 2A 120-pound final with a major decision, a fall and an 8-5 semifinal decision. Teammate Owen Harris (157, 2A) will go for his own title in Denver on Saturday. On the girls side, Brooklyn Glende (130, 4A) will wrestle for a title.
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