Arlington High School freshmen Jake Flesner and Tanner Kyllo went winless Thursday and Friday during the NSAA State Wrestling Championships in Omaha.
The Eagles worked hard, qualified and made their Class C tournament debuts, but fell short of victories at the CHI Health Center.
Junior Trey Hill knows the feeling.
The 113-pounder went 0-for-2 in his first state trip, too. But, Friday afternoon, the AHS standout picked up his first win in his fourth try on the grand stage.
“It felt amazing,” Hill said. “Once-in-a-lifetime.”
The Eagle finished 2-2 overall, falling a single win shy of a spot on the podium. His quest for a state medal is ongoing, but he's got an elusive state victory under his belt after leading his coach Doug Hart's trio in its 47th-place team finish.
“It's an experience I hope everyone with Arlington will experience,” Hill said.
The junior wrestler started his 2023 state run with a tight, 8-6 decision loss to Norfolk Catholic's Yair Santiago. He rebounded, however, against Yutan's Janson Pilkington.
Hill fell behind the Chieftain to start, but quickly pinned him at the start of the second period. The official point of stoppage by fall was 2:06.
The Eagle moved onto a matchup with Chauncey Watson of Broken Bow, who was unable to compete due to medical forfeit. That result set-up the all-or-nothing third consolation round, which determines state medalists and non-medalists.
Hill evened the score with Wilber-Clatonia's Grant Eschiti 2-2 during the second period, but fell behind by four during the third. He scored a takedown, but was unable to turn the 113-pounder to his back late and lost another close matchup, 6-4.
Even so, the AHS junior who finished the season 42-8 overall was proud of his accomplishments.
“Overall, I feel like this has been the best year of my entire career — even going back to youth,” Hill said.
Flesner, Kyllo impress
Arlington's state-qualifying freshmen, meanwhile, went 0-for-4 in matches at 106 and 120 pounds, respectively.
“Well, you know, they're freshmen down here, so that says a lot about their work ethic in the practice room,” said coach Hart. “Just getting them down here was a huge accomplishment for us.”
Flesner and Kyllo didn't just roll over for their opponents either. Both Eagles nearly claimed late victories during Friday's first consolation round.
“We gave ourselves a chance in the third period,” Hart said. “It didn't end the way we wanted it to, but at least we gave ourselves a chance.”
After Thursday's loss by second-period pin, Flesner trailed Mitchell's Yovanni Jimenez by double figures during the final period of his season.
“I knew we were going to have to kind of go for broke and try to catch the kid on his back,” Hart said.
Flesner nearly earned a fall, too, turning a takedown throw into back points before ultimately falling 17-5. The freshman finished the season 26-19 overall.
Kyllo, meanwhile, lost his first 120-pound match by pin and his second by 7-5 decision.
“Just the experience down here is going to help him in the future,” Hart said.
The AHS standout — who finished 21-11 this season — scored a takedown late during his elimination match with Loomis/Bertrand's Carter Horner and was, on more than occasion, almost able to turn the wrestler for back points. Kyllo competed at the top level of Class C wrestling and fell just short.
“That's something I tried to reiterate to him,” Hart said. “I pointed at the score and I said, 'Two points. You made the decision to try and turn him and we dang near got it done.'”
Ultimately, 0-for-2 starts can lead to greater things at the state tournament, as evidenced by Hill's showing at 113 pounds. As the Eagles redefine their goals for next year, Arlington's top winner during the 2022-23 season has his picked out.
“Definitely medal because this year I lost my heartbreak,” Hill said. “So, next year is to definitely get on the podium and be up there with a medal.”
CLASS C STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Thursday-Saturday at CHI Health Center, Omaha
Top 10 teams: Broken Bow 119 points, Wahoo Neumann 97, Fillmore Central 96, Pierce 78.5, Battle Creek 75, Albion Boone Central 66, Wilber-Clatonia 65.5, Valentine 64, Crofton/Bloomfield 59, Ord 55. Also: 47th, Arlington, 6.
Arlington Wrestling Results
(Weight: Wrestler, state record (season record), place)
106 pounds: Jake Flesner, 0-2 (26-19), NA
113: Trey Hill, 2-2 (42-8), NA
120: Tanner Kyllo, 0-2 (21-11), NA
