In a win-or-go-home situation, Grant Nixon secured a pin Saturday during the Class C District 1 Tournament at Albion Boone Central.
The Fort Calhoun 182-pounder stood straight up, eyeing the Pioneer section in the crowd, and left the mat.
“It didn't really occur to me that I had qualified until I got off the mat and saw all of my teammates over there,” Nixon said. “I was kind of lost in the moment.”
Four Pioneers earned NSAA State Championship Tournament opportunities in Albion with top-four finishes. Nixon and senior Trey McCoy earned their spots for the first time, while sophomore district champions Ely and Lance Olberding will return to the CHI Health Center in Omaha for a second time. Ely won a state title in his first trip.
“Hard work pays off,” Nixon said. “You get what you put in.”
The 182-pounder went 3-1 during districts, bouncing back from a semifinals loss to claim third. He earned his state berth by pinning Tri County's Jurgen Baker in 51 seconds before putting away Calvin Dather of Crofton-Bloomfield in 2:43 for bronze.
McCoy, meanwhile, improved to 30-6 this season with a 3-1 Saturday at 106 pounds. The senior won his win-or-go-home, heartbreak match by 11-2 major decision before claiming a 6-1 decision against Nick Busse of St. Paul for third.
The Olberdings combined to go 4-0 at 113 and 120 pounds, respectively. Ely claimed the 113-pound title with a 7-0 decision against Crofton's Hudson Barger and a 4-1 decision against Zach Bongers of David City. He is 37-2 this season after claiming the 106-pound state title in 2020.
Lance, meanwhile, moved to 35-4 with decision wins against Kaleb Baker of St. Paul and Simon Schindler of David City. He won the first 6-0 against Baker during the semis before besting Schindler 7-2 in the finals.
The four Fort Calhoun qualifiers helped the Pioneers claim sixth as team, while David City took first. FCHS scored 64 points — 118 less than the Scouts — while Arlington was seventh with 62.5.
The Pioneers' Mason Touring (195 pounds) and Jesse Hartline (220) also reached the heartbreak round, but came up short in their efforts to qualify for state. Touring finished the season 9-16, while Hartline closed out his campaign 26-7.
Aaron Duros also competed at districts, finishing 0-2.
McCoy, Nixon and the Olberdings next compete 5 p.m. Friday during the first round of the Class C State Championships in Omaha.
“I'm looking forward to getting to state and causing havoc over there,” Nixon said. “First time.”
