Blair senior Dex Larsen will wrestle Saturday night with hopes to become the fourth Bear in school history to earn a state championship.
The 195-pounder earned his shot with a 9-4 semifinals victory against Grand Island Northwest's Victor Isele on Saturday morning during the NSAA State Championships in Omaha. The future Wayne State football player led 6-4 after the second period, went ahead 7-4 on an escape and put away the match with a takedown during the final minute.
Larsen was one of three BHS wrestlers who competed during the morning's semifinals round. Jesse Loges and Charlie Powers fell short before claiming fifth and third at 106 and 145 pounds, respectively. Both Bears capped their seasons by pin.
Three more BHS wrestlers — Braden Hanson, Gabe Gaskill and Lance Hume — concluded their senior campaigns one win shy of state medals. They each lost consolation matches Saturday morning, while Blair state qualifiers Luke Frost and Dylan Berg were eliminated Friday — but not before picking up a win each.
For the full story on the Bears' state tournament run, pick up Tuesday's Washington County Pilot-Tribune or check back to enterprisepub.com/sports later that same day. A state finals online update will be posted at the conclusion of Saturday's championship round in Omaha.
