Blair wrestler Tyson Brown believes one thing above all else is key to success in the Eastern Midlands Conference.
“Really, just focus,” he said less than 24 hours before Saturday's EMC Tournament at BHS.
The 138-pounder planned to wake up ready to wrestle from the start.
“Just make sure it's a good day,” he added.
Coach Erich Warner's Bears took fifth in the team standings, but Brown earned first with a 3-0 record on the day. He, the No. 2 wrestler in the NSWCA Class B ratings at 138 pounds, beat No. 1 Brayden Canoyer of Waverly in the finals, 4-3. The Viking won their previous January matchup during the EMC Dual Tourney.
Brown improved to 36-5 overall with the win, while Atticus Dick and Cornez Tucker Jr. improved to 30-10 and 26-13, respectively, with their third-place conference finishes. Dick went 2-1, bouncing back from a semifinals loss with a pin of Hastings' Isaac Kelley in his final match of the day at 150 pounds.
Tucker Jr., however, went 3-1 at heavyweight, winning his third-place match with Bennington's Kale Kaufmann by 7-1 decision. He also had two pins during the tournament.
Five more Blair wrestlers earned fourth in their weight classes, too. Jaxon Logan was 2-2 at 113 pounds, Keenan Wyman went 2-2 at 132 and Carson Faue was 2-2 at 144.
Griffin Rosterman was 0-for-2 at 190 pounds but took fourth, while Thomas Chikos earned a 2-2 mark for fourth at 215 pounds.
While BHS scored 87 team points Saturday, Waverly scored 226.5 for the EMC title. Bennington notched 199.5 for second, too, while Elkhorn North scored 109 for third.
Bears win on Senior Night
A day earlier, Dick posed for a photo with about 20 supporters after the Senior Night dual at BHS.
The 150-pound 12th-grader clinched the 39-32 win by pin against Elkhorn South in the final match. He stopped Cole Eads in 64 seconds.
“I knew he was going to win at a home dual,” said Brown, a fellow senior. Brady Thomas, Hayden Berg and he were also recognized before the match for their contributions to coach Warner's program.
“I know what (Atticus') armbar can do,” Wyman added. “I knew what he could do for us.”
Dick's win preserved the Bears' comeback from a 28-18 dual deficit against the Storm. Henry Sullivan secured a 10-4 decision first at 126 pounds before Wyman turned a second-period reversal into a pin for six team points at 132.
“That match was crazy,” Brown said.
“I kept thinking the whole time it was for the team — to make us go to state duals,” Wyman said. The Bears were within the top-eight of the Class B wildcard standings prior to the dual and needed to stay there to qualify for this Saturday's event in Kearney. “To get us there, I knew what I had to do and that's what I tried to do.”
Brown won next, securing a pin in 3:18 to give BHS a 33-28 lead.
South's Jesse Eads secured a major decision to pull the Storm back within one point, but Dick closed the victory out for the home team. Blaise Baughman, Tucker Jr. and Logan also secured wins by pin for the Bears, who improved to 18-7 in duals this season.
EASTERN MIDLANDS CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
Saturday at Blair High School
Team standings: Waverly 226.5, Bennington 199.5, Elkhorn North 109, Hastings 102.5, Blair 87, Norris 68.5, Elkhorn 29.5, Lincoln Northwest 10, Lincoln Standing Bear 4.
Top-6 Blair finishers: 1, Tyson Brown, 138 pounds, 3-0 tournament record. 3, Atticus Dick, 150, 2-1. 3, Cornez Tucker Jr., 285, 3-1. 4, Jaxon Logan, 113, 2-2. 4, Keenan Wyman, 132, 2-2. 4, Carson Faue, 144, 2-2. 4, Griffin Rosterman, 190, 0-2. 4, Thomas Chikos, 215, 2-2.
