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McCook state wrestlers' matches all set; a further lookahead
OMAHA, Neb. — Freshman B-4 district champion Tristan Campbell leads the five McCook state wrestling qualifiers into Omaha's CHI Health Center on Thursday.
All the Bison first-round state matches with potential challenges ahead.
BOYS
145 pounds: Bison Tristan Campbell (30-11 record) vs. junior Jaden Meyer, Hastings (26-18)
They split two regular-season matches though McCook assistant coach Josh Jones said Campbell had wrestled "three or four matches that day" before losing the rematch with Meyer.
A Campbell win Thursday means he'd meet either Crete senior Conner Lomax (24-14) or Ashland-Greenwood senior Blaine Christo, third at district but only two losses all season (24-2).
The potential semifinal could match Campbell against rival and Cozad defending state champion Dreu White (38-5).
170: Bison senior Alex Anthony (20-5) vs. York junior Dylan Bower (27-8).
B-4 district runner-up Anthony wants a third Class B state medal to cap his McCook High wrestling career. A win might match A.A. against South Sioux City sophomore Tony Palmer (34-1), who suffered his only loss in last weekend's district finals.
Waverly's Aden Smith (37-5) defeated Anthony at Saturday's B-4 finals and Scottsbluff's Frankie Trevino (45-3) are two potential Class B finals foes.
220: Bison sophomore Quentin Terry (24-15) vs. Plattsmouth junior Caleb Adkins (16-0).
Terry wants a first state tourney win for his initial trip into Class B state, so undefeated champion Adkins will be an opening super upset opportunity.
A win moves Terry into quarterfinals later on Thursday vs. Seward senior David Hurley (23-12) or South Sioux City freshman Adrian Curiel (25-11).
Columbus Lakeview senior Landon Temus (41-0) might await in the Friday night state semifinals.
Gering senior Collin Schwarzkopf owns a 35-1 season record.
GIRLS
125 pounds: McCook sophomore Ambie Custard (18-2) vs. North Platte sophomore Suubi Alexander (23-15).
Custard's loading up on "anything peanut butter" and chocolate milk but is all fit for her first state championship meet match. She pinned Alexander in the first period of their two earlier meetings.
Remember, there are no class divisions in Nebraska girls' wrestling again during its second season. However, a win would match Ambie against familiar Class B foe Crete with sophomore Trinity Williamson (34-5) or C-1 power Pierce junior Maggie Painter (31-2).
The best winning percentage overall for 125 belongs to Yutan sophomore Alexis Pehrson (38-2) Being a huge wrestling fan, Custard commented on Tuesday she'd love to earn a match vs. Pehrson. They would not meet until Saturday's Nebraska State Finals.
170: McCook junior Makayla Pate (22-1) vs. Crete junior Aileen Rueda (32-15).
Returning state finalist Pate didn't lose this season until the district finals upset vs. Crofton-Bloomfield sophomore Annabelle Poppe (28-8). Sounds like a nightmare movie with living dolls, but they wouldn't meet again until those state finals on Saturday.
Pate's big challenge could be the semifinals Friday night against unbeaten Wahoo senior Kaylee Ricketts, who brings an incredible 48-0 record into Omaha.
Other impressive records at 170 come from Millard South sophomore Rowyn Wittgen (41-10) and Omaha Westside freshman Macy Barber (39-9).
Girls state wrestling starts at 1 p.m. on Thursday with Class B boys set for 1:30 p.m.
Friday features girls consolations at 10 a.m. and Class B boys beginning again 30 minutes later.
All state semifinals start primetime at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday brings 9 a.m. consolation matches with the ultimate Nebraska State Finals starting at 3 p.m.