Third- and fifth-place matches at the NSAA State Wrestling Championships all begin at the same time.
As nine began Saturday at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Fort Calhoun freshman Merritt Olberding stood alone with a referee on a Class B mat. Both shrugged and cracked smiles as the official raised the fifth-place 106-pounder's hand.
Though his final victory of the season came by forfeit, Olberding finished 3-2 in contested matches for his first medal in his first state appearance. He led coach Drew Welchert's team in Omaha, which also qualified Presley Olberding — Merritt's twin brother — and senior Gage Nixon.
“It was amazing that I had the opportunity,” the fifth-place finisher said.
Olberding started competition Thursday, besting Lando Puglisi by first-period pin before a quarterfinals loss to Brayton Holding of Douglas County West. The Pioneer bounced back Friday, though, earning a fall against Auburn's Ayden Smith before guaranteeing himself a medal against Tannon Bellamy of Blair.
Olberding led the Bear 4-2 after two periods, but locked in a headlock and finished out the 9-2 decision win 2 minutes later.
“Had not that good of match yesterday, but I came back and wrestled through it,” he said after the victory.
The freshman lost his first match Saturday, too, but ended his season alone with a referee raising his hand.
“I kept my head in it,” Olberding said the night before, explaining how he earned his spot on the podium. “Didn't get too cocky. Just focused on one match at a time.”
2 FCHS wrestlers fall short
Nixon packed up his Fort Calhoun wrestling singlet for the last time Friday in Omaha.
In the dimly lit arena tunnel, the 132-pound Pioneer put it away before tucking his wrestling shoes into the same gym bag one at a time.
Though he went 0-2, Nixon's win was qualifying for his first state tourney in his last chance to do so. For three seasons, he piled up wins, but failed to advance onto the big stage.
On Friday, though, the senior wore an orange T-shirt with his name on it under a header — it read, “State Qualifiers.”
“It means a lot,” Nixon said. “We all worked hard to get here.”
After pinfall losses to Garrison Brehm of Waverly and Lexington's Jayden Thorell, he took satisfaction in the last match he won at districts — the one that got him to Omaha.
“It's not easy when you get here, but it's not easy to get here either,” the FCHS standout said.
Presley Olberding, meanwhile, went 1-2 at 113 pounds in his first state tournament.
The freshman lost his opening match Thursday to Columbus Lakeview's Jack Glendy in overtime. Down 3-2 late during the third period, he scored an escape and forced more time onto the clock.
“Breathe here,” assistant coach Jake Welchert said matside. “Come on buddy.”
Unfortunately for Olberding, Glendy scored the match-winning takedown from there.
The freshman wasn't done, though. He topped Kellen Krivohlavek of Elkhorn 8-1 on Friday before a loss to Gering's Frost Wallace during the second round of consolation matches.
The Fort Calhoun 113-pounder ended his first high school season with a 36-13 record.
NSAA STATE WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
CLASS B
Thursday-Saturday at CHI Health Center, Omaha
Top-10 team standings: Waverly 176, Omaha Skutt 167.5, Bennington 140, Beatrice 100, Cozad 95, York 86.5, Plattsmouth 81.5, Scottsbluff 78.5, Gering 66.5, Blair 53. Also: 28, Fort Calhoun, 16.
Fort Calhoun Results
(Weight: wrestler, tournament record (overall record))
106 pounds: Merritt Olberding, 4-2 (36-15), fifth place
113: Presley Olberding, 1-2 (36-13)
132: Gage Nixon, 0-2 (29-17)
