For years, Blair High School wrestler Ali Wheeler wanted nothing more than to earn a state medal during the NSAA Wrestling Championships in Omaha.
Mission accomplished.
“I got there,” the 115-pound senior said Wednesday.
Wheeler went 4-2 during the two-day Class A tournament inside the CHI Health Center, securing fourth in her weight class. Before the career moment, the senior said she was looking forward to taking her place on the podium.
“It's going to feel amazing,” she explained. “That's what I've wanted since sophomore year.”
BHS coach Terry Bellamy — who had Emma Belnog and Reata Malmberg earn a win apiece in Omaha, too — was proud of his 3-year old program's second-ever medalist.
“I can't be happier for Ali,” he said, noting how close the senior was to medaling as a junior, too. “She's been working toward it all year — her whole wrestling career — and she finally did it.”
After a quarterfinals loss to Ralston's Oliviana Medina on Tuesday, Wheeler earned her medal with two victories Wednesday morning. She first pinned Gering's Autumn Hahn in 1:15 before facing a familiar opponent during the all-or-nothing heartbreak round — Crete's Ruby VanHorn, who she faced during the district tournament Feb. 8.
“She was going harder this time. She was pushing,” Wheeler said. “So, I had to push harder.”
Bellamy was impressed with that result, but also his 115-pounder's last win of the season against Waverly's Mackenzie Olson in the consolation semifinals. The 29-5 wrestler had bested Wheeler during the aforementioned district tourney.
“To come back and dominate that match, that had nothing to do with me or the other coaches,” Bellamy said. “That's all on these girls, and Alison and Alison's practice partners.”
Wheeler later lost her third-place match to 39-4 Norfolk wrestler Tiearra Pollard, but the senior's tournament run was still a success — one she'd long wanted.
“I couldn't be happier,” Bellamy said. “I couldn't be prouder.”
Belnog, Malmberg pick up state wins
Falling short of the podium, Belnog and Malmberg each went 1-2 during the NSAA Championships.
“All that does is fuel the fire for next year,” Bellamy said. “Now they have something to base next seasons's goals off of.”
Belnog, 43-13 overall, closed out her second-ever wrestling season with a 4-0 decision loss to Bella Arrants of Grand Island. Before it, though, the 130-pounder bounced back from a first-round pinfall loss Tuesday with a consolation round victory Wednesday against Bellevue East's Anastacia Jackson.
Belnog controlled her win against the Chieftain, finally securing the pin at the 3:40 mark.
Malmberg, meanwhile, was pinned in 47 seconds to start her tournament at 190 pounds. Like Belnog, though, the Bear came back with her own pin against Omaha Marian's Dakota Giwoyna. After a fair amount of stiff hand fighting, she earned a lead and anchored herself on top of the Marian opposition for the fall at the 2:17 mark.
Next, though, Omaha Buena Vista's Britney Pineda Herrera closed out the BHS state qualifier's season in 4:29 during the second consolation round. Bellamy believes the wins and losses will be motivating.
“I think they're both going to work hard in the offseason and try to prove themselves next year,” the coach said.
As Wheeler proved, goals can be achieved at the CHI Health Center.
NSAA STATE GIRLS WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Tuesday-Wednesday at the CHI Health Center, Omaha
CLASS A
Top-10 team standings: Norfolk 142, Omaha Westside 120.5, Lincoln East 92, Lincoln High 82.5, Omaha North 82.5, Grand Island 75, Bennington 71.5, Omaha Westview 67, Millard South 64, South Sioux City 64. Also: 30, Blair, 24.
Blair Bear Results
(Weight, wrestler: Tourney record (overall record), place)
115 pounds, Ali Wheeler: 4-2 (32-11), fourth.
130, Emma Belnog: 1-2 (43-13), NA.
190, Reata Malmberg: 1-2 (28-17), NA.
