Four Washington County wrestles will end their seasons on the podium Saturday during the final round of the NSAA State Boys Wrestling Championships in Omaha.
Hudson Loges of Blair will compete for first in Class B at 138 pounds. The senior earned his title opportunity with a 17-2 technical fall victory. He bested 44-10 Fairbury wrestler Dalton VanLaningham in 3:59, improving to 50-1 on the season.
In his last state championship match, the Bear won the 106-pound crown in 2023.
Blair’s Blaise Baughman and Cornez Tucker Jr., and Fort Calhoun’s Merritt Olberding, meanwhile, will contend for third- through sixth-place in their Class B weight classes. Baughman lost his 190-pound semifinals match in overtime, 4-1, to Sidney’s Patrick McCartney.
Tucker Jr. also fell short in a semifinal Friday. The heavyweight was pinned by unbeaten Carver Konzem of Ashland-Greenwood in 2:50.
One of the seven Fort Calhoun state qualifiers, Olberding secured the second medal of his career with a 13-4 major decision win against Gering 120-pounder Evan Strom. He also beat Ty Erickson of York 13-0 during the second consolation round Friday afternoon.
Saturday’s championship finals start at 3 p.m. after the consolation semifinals — followed by the third- and fifth-place matches — at 9 a.m.
FCHS’ Lucas DeMilt, Presley Olberding, Levi Lasher, TJ DeMilt, Ray Caruso and Alex Schuler, meanwhile, were eliminated from medal contention with season-ending losses Saturday. Lucas DeMilt closed the year one win shy of a top-six finish at 106 pounds.
Arlington’s Jake Flesner, Braxton Soll and Tate Johannes won matches Friday, but they, like teammate Ben Flesner, were eliminated by the end of the second consolation round in Class C.
While three Bears will stand on the podium Saturday, five more fell short of it Friday. Tannon Bellamy, Jaxon Logan, Wyatt Loftis and Griffin Rosterman won matches before their elimination, while Carson Faue finished the state tournament 0-2.
Rosterman reached the heartbreak round, falling one win shy of a state medal by 13-6 decision.
Editor’s Note: Online updates will be posted at the end of each night of the NSAA State Wrestling Championships at enterprisepub.com/sports. Full girls wrestling coverage appeared in Friday’s Washington County Enterprise, while boys’ coverage is scheduled to appear in next Tuesday’s Washington County Pilot-Tribune edition.
