Six Washington County wrestlers earned two wins apiece Thursday during the opening day of the NSAA State Championships in Omaha.
As a result, the five Blair Bears — Hudson Loges (106 pounds), Luke Frost (120), Tyson Brown (132), Jesse Loges (138) and Yoan Camejo (160) — and Fort Calhoun 138-pounder Ely Olberding are just one semifinals win away from competing for a Class B state championship Saturday. Those semis matches will take place 6:30 p.m. Friday at the CHI Health Center.
First, though, 10 county wrestlers will attempt to win their way back into medal contention during Friday's consolation rounds. Those matches start at noon in Class C, B and girls competition.
Blair's Brock Templar won his opening 152-pound match Thursday, but dropped a 6-5 decision during the quarterfinals. His teammates — Kaden Sears (182), Jim Rasmussen (195), Seagan Packett-Trisdale (285) and Abigail James (girls' 145) — started the state tourney 0-1 and will compete in elimination matches first-thing Friday.
Fort Calhoun's Lance Olberding (132 pounds) and Wesley Short (170) started 0-1, too. Olberding was injured in his first match at 132 pounds.
Arlington's three qualifiers, meanwhile, Jake Flesner (106 pounds), Trey Hill (113) and Tanner Kyllo (120) started 0-1 as well.
In the team standings, Blair is currently fourth in Class B with 47 points. First-place Omaha Skutt has 67, Bennington has 55.5, Waverly has 51 and 28th-place FCHS has eight.
Arlington has not scored in Class C, while Broken Bow leads the pack with 58.
Daily state wrestling coverage will continue Friday and Saturday here at enterprisepub.com/sports. Full coverage will appear in next Tuesday's Washington County Pilot-Tribune newspaper.
