The Fort Calhoun boys wrestling team improved on last season's Phil & Pat Invite finish Saturday at Omaha Northwest.
Twelve months after a runner-up result, coach Drew Welchert's lineup went unbeaten at the Omaha Northwest dual tournament, claiming first. The Pioneers earned four straight wins, topping the host Huskies (42-30), Omaha Roncalli (60-24), Omaha Benson (54-24) and Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson (45-27).
Seth Waters, TJ DeMilt and AJ Duros were the most successful FCHS wrestlers, combining to win 10 matches in 10 tries. Waters was 4-0 at 138 pounds, securing three pins and a 5-3 decision against Thomas Jefferson's Coleton Townsend.
DeMilt, meanwhile, was 3-0 at 157 pounds with two pins and an 8-7 decision against Thomas Jefferson. Duros added three pins, too.
Calhoun's Landon Bernasek (3-1 tourney record), Presley Olberding (2-1), Gage Nixon (2-1) and Ray Caruso (2-1) picked up multiple contested victories as well, while Fred Altstadt (1-0), Matthew Kelly (1-0) and Merritt Olberding (1-1) had one apiece. Connor Holmstedt, Kasyn Storm and Trey King filled out the invite-winning lineup, too.
Before Saturday's tournament, though, the Pioneers swept Thursday duals against Platteview and Louisville. Coach Welchert's team topped the host Trojans 52-27 and the Lions 44-15, respectively.
Bernasek, Nixon, Duros, Caruso and Merritt Olberding all secured contested victories against Platteview as FCHS went 5-4 in such bouts overall. Bernasek, Duros, Caruso and Olberding all secured pins, while Nixon earned a 13-2 major decision against Caleb Woodward at 132 pounds. Notably, Caruso's pin of Matthew Ortiz at 175 pounds took just 28 seconds.
Against Louisville, Fort Calhoun went 5-2 in contested matchups. Bernasek earned a 15-0 technical fall at 126 pounds, while Kelly secured a pin at 150. Demilt won a 7-2 decision, too, while Merritt and Presley Olberding won matches 7-0 and 7-1, respectively.
FCHS girls compete during triangular
Three Fort Calhoun girls also competed Thursday at Platteview High School. They lost to Louisville 48-0, but secured an 18-6 dual win against the host Trojans.
While Anna Rae Hartline and Tacey Belina scored forfeit victories during the Pioneers' win, Ali Dill won her match on the mat. The 130-pounder pinned Madeline Stapp at the 5:04 mark.
PHIL & PAT PISALE INVITE
Saturday at Omaha Northwest
BOYS
Team standings: 1, Fort Calhoun. 2, Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson. 3, Omaha Northwest. 4, Omaha Benson. 5, Omaha Roncalli.
Fort Calhoun Dual Results
Round 1: Fort Calhoun 42, Northwest 30
Round 2: Fort Calhoun 60, Roncalli 24
Round 3: Fort Calhoun 54, Benson 24
Round 4: Fort Calhoun 45, Thomas Jefferson 27
