Ely Olberding is an All-American.
The Southeast Community College 141-pounder, who graduated from Fort Calhoun High School in 2023, earned sixth Saturday during the NJCAA Wrestling Championships in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The two-time NSAA state finalist — and one-time champ — claimed his college achievement with a 4-3 tournament record.
Olberding started the junior college championships Friday with a 20-4 technical fall victory against Benjamin Fosdick of Iowa Central. He beat Tim Lopez of Clackamas next before his first loss to Iowa Western's Malachi Bordovsky.
The FCHS graduate got back on track with a 15-6 major decision against Northeast Oklahoma's Marcus Terry before securing a forfeit during the next round. He then lost back-to-back matches to Isaac Church of Niacc and Ridgewater's Cole Holien to finish sixth overall.
Ely and his twin brother, Lance Olberding, joined the Southeast CC wrestling team before it's first-ever match. The Beatrice-based program started competition this season with coach Terry Pack.
