Wrestlers Receive Runner-Up Trophy at State Duals
by Kailey Marks
On Saturday, February 8, the Pierce wrestlers competed in the State Duals in Kearney. They fought for the trophy against Blair, Gering, and Hastings. The Bluejays went 2-1, winning their first two duals, and losing against Hastings to claim second place.
Coach Tyler Legate said confidently, “This weekend was full of good competition for the boys. I thought overall we fought tough, and there were still a few matches we could’ve got. We also worked really well as a team, and it was nice to see them get closer and be there for one another. Winning those first two duals was pretty awesome to see.”
In this first round, Pierce wrestled Blair, returning champions, in a close score of 36-35. Starting at 113, Brock Bolling pinned opponent Jesse Loges. Jayden Coulter (120) won over Shay Bailey by pin in the first period. At 126, Blake Bolling lost to Tyler Curtis by major decision. Wrestling at 132, Carter Jensen lost by decision to Brody Karls. Jeremiah Kruntorad (138) lost to Hank Frost by major decision. At 145, Michael Kruntorad won by fall early in the second period to Dylan Berg. Ashton Schweitzer, wrestling at 152, won by decision to Duncan Loges. Zander Schweitzer (160) won by tech fall over Treyton Jones 18-3. In the second period, Brett Tinker, wrestling at 170, won by fall over Yoan Camejo. At 182, Tavin Koehler lost to Braden Hanson by fall. Travis Jensen (195) lost by fall to Dexter Larsen. Wrestling at 220, Dylan Kuehler won by major decision over Lance Hume.
In the semifinals, Pierce wrestled Gering in an intense match, with a score of 42-33. At 113, Br. Bolling lost to Quinton Chavez by decision. Isaiah Adams lost by fall to Paul Ruff. Wrestling at 126, Coulter lost by fall to Tyler Nagel. C. Jensen (132) won by fall over Jr Aguilar in the third period. At 138, J. Kruntorad lost by decision to Nathaniel Murillo. M. Kruntorad (145) lost by fall to Nate Rocheleau. In 152, A. Schweitzer won by fall over Collin Schwartzkopf. Z. Schweitzer (160) lost in overtime to Jacob Awiszus. At 170, Parker Sackville won in the first period over Dilan Lopez Ruiz by fall. Tavin Koehler (195) won by fall over Andrew Mount. Wrestling at 220, Kuehler won over Iziah Blanco in the first period. To secure the win, Jacob Kerber (285) pinned his opponent, Tucker Hixon, in the second period.
In the Bluejays’ last match, they fell to Hastings 24-54. Starting at 120, Coulter won by fall over Dalton Hansen. Bl. Bolling (126) lost by tech fall against Landon Weidner. At 132, Ashton Koch lost by fall against Bryce Brown. Wrestling at 138, J. Kruntorad got pinned by Austin Yohe. In 145, M. Kruntorad lost in a close match against Jett Samuelson, 8-9. A. Schweitzer (152) lost by major decision to Mason Brumbaugh. Wrestling at 160, Z. Schweitzer lost by pin to Izaak Hunsley. At 170, B. Tinker won by fall in the first period to Jacob Lopez. At 195, T. Jensen was pinned by Evan Morara. Kuehler (220) won by fall in the second period against Blake Davis.
Sophomore Ashton Schweitzer stated, “I feel like we competed well as a team, and we came out on top of big matches. Individually I feel like I wrestled pretty well. I went 2-1, and my last match was pretty tough, but I’m glad I got the first two matches.”
Bluejays will take the mat again at districts on Friday, February 14, and Saturday, February 15, at Pierce High School.
