Eagle's big win over Bobcat tops S.V. state day

Southern Valley’s James Hargett (left) lifts Hemington 195-pounder Jake Sellman off his feet during the Class D state tournament match at Omaha’s CHI Heatlth Center Thursday night.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

OMAHA, Neb. — Southern Valley’s James Hargett was ready to attack his state tournament match and show why season numbers only go so far once all wrestlers arrive in CHI Health Center.

Hemingford’s Jake Sellman brought more wins (29) along with more matches this season (45) — but it didn’t matter during this Class D 195-pound match.

Hargett stepped up under the bright lights to take charge almost from the opening whistle on Thursday. He even scored a pin of Sellman at exactly the 5:00 mark.

The win was several for Gazette-area wrestlers during this first of three Nebraska State Wrestling tournament days.

Hargett advanced into the quarterfinals later that evening where he ran into a long-limbed and strong Kaleb Pofahl of Neligh-Oakdale.

Pofahl prevailed with a 16-7 major decision.

However, Hargett will be among those competing in today’s consolation rounds where he’ll need two more wins to secure a state medal.

S.V. Eagles teammate Cody Lambert was set to wrestle again today during his first state tournament as a senior.

Lambert faced the ultimate challenge Thursday afternoon against No. 1-ranked Enrique Martinez of Central Valley at 138 pounds.

Martinez(38-4) by pinning Lambert (14-6), who nearly made it through two full periods.