Bluejays Claim Runner-Up at Districts
By Chloe Bernhardt
The Pierce Girls Wrestling team hosted the B-3 districts on Friday, February 7 and Saturday, February 8, and Pierce claimed the runner-up spot, sending five bluejays, Candace Miller, Isabelle Kuehler, Lainey Jensen, Hadleigh Collison, and Isabelle Streff, to the state tournament. During districts, Kuehler also accomplished her goal of 100 wins.
At 100 pounds, Mia Sackville won by fall over Claire Christensen of Norfolk Catholic in round one. In the quarterfinal round M. Sackville fell to Nattlie Hull of Scribner-Snyder. M. Sackville received a bye in consolation round two. In consolation round three, M. Sackville pinned Lilyanna Dziurawiec of Homer. Wrapping up her season, M. Sackville lost by decision, 8-7, to Maddisyn Lampman of Northeast Nebraska, (NEN), a team combining Wisner-Pilger and Pender, in the consolation semifinal match.
Wrestling at 105, Peyton Brunckhorst pinned Grace Beckwith of Logan View in round one. In the quarterfinal round, Brunckhorst fell in sudden victory-one to Jenni Olson of Tri County Northeast. Brunckhorst then pinned Adelle Russman of NEN in consolation round two. In consolation round three, Brunkhorst won by decision, 10-9, over Azul Pedraza from Madison. Brunckhorst then fell to Regan Kapke of Fairbury in the consolation semifinal match.
Streff, wrestling at 110, placed third and qualified for state. She received a bye in round one. In the quarterfinal round, Streff pinned Leah Pistulka of West Holt. She then fell to Emily Hull of Scribner-Snyder in the semifinal match. In the consolation semifinal round, Streff won by disqualification over Erica Chicaj Pol of Wakefield. Streff pinned Teegen Hasebroock of Elkhorn Valley in the third place match.
At 115, Collison placed second, also qualifying for state. In round one, Collison pinned Taylor Cook from Fullerton. She won by fall over Gentry Poulsen of Elkhorn Valley in the quarterfinal round. In the semifinal round Collison, pinned Allie Oligmueller of West Holt. In the first place match, Collison lost by decision, 2-1, to Bettie Chambers of Palmyra.
Wrestling at 120, Jayan Sackville pinned Morgan Nincehelser of Plainview in round one. In the quarterfinal match, J. Sackville fell to Scarlett Weitzel of Palmyra. She pinned Lila Bolles of Homer in the consolation round two. In consolation round three, J. Sackville fell to Caydnece Liester of Elkhorn Valley.
“Even though I didn't make it to state, I still think I ended the season on a good note,” J. Sackville says.
Evelyn Skrdla, wrestling at 125, received a bye in round one. In the quarterfinal match, Skrdla lost by tech fall, 15-0, to Emerson Penne of Elkhorn Valley. She pinned Kira Centurion of Wakefield in the consolation round two. In consolation round three, Skrdla won by decision, 7-1, over Bria Johnson of Stanton. In the consolation semifinal match, Skrdla fell to Rhiannon Tramp from Palmyra.
At 135 pounds, MaKenna Blecher pinned Shaylee Sanderson of NEN in round one. Blecher fell to Morgan Kuchta of Cedar Catholic in the quarterfinal match. In consolation round two, Blecher pinned Shayla Buzby of Palmyra. She won by fall over Mabel Ngebeh of Randolph in consolation round three. In the consolation semifinals, Blecher fell to Naomi Nelson of Wakefield.
Wrestling at 140, Cailynn Gardner fell to Jaiya Johnson of St. Mary’s in round one. She received a bye in consolation round one. In consolation round two, C. Gardner fell to Jaycee Vogel of Ansley-Litchfield.
Another state qualifier, Jensen, wrestling at 145, placed fourth. In the quarterfinal round, Jensen pinned Charley Pittet of Plainview. She then fell by tech fall, 18-1, to Kiya Tornez of Tri County Northeast in the semifinal match. In the consolation semifinal round, Jensen pinned Lilly Umbarger of Winside. Jensen fell to Morgan Schaaf of West Holt in the third place match.
At 155, Kuehler placed first and punched her ticket to state. In round one, she received a bye. In the quarterfinal match, Kuehler pinned Jazmynn Scott of Wakefield. Kuehler won by fall over Heidi Ramos of Fairbury in the semifinal round. In the first place match, Kuehler pinned Cynthia Carter of Logan View. In addition to qualifying for state in the first place match, Kuehler also marked a milestone in her high school career with her 100th win.
“It was very exciting to get my hundredth win in my finals match at home. I look forward to state and my third time down in Omaha,” Kuehler comments.
Wrestling at 170, Miller placed third and was Pierce’s final state qualifier. She received a bye in round one. In the quarterfinal round, she fell to Shae Jackson of West Holt. Miller pinned Abigail Hynek of Fairbury in consolation round two. In consolation round three, she won by fall over Taylor Pavlik of Niobrara/Verdigre. Miller won by decision, 6-5, over Shelby Johnson of Norfolk Catholic in the consolation semifinal match. In the third place match, Miller pinned Kyrian Austin of Scribner-Snyder.
Shaylee Gardner, wrestling at 190, received a bye in round one. She fell to Libby Evans of Elgin Public/Pope John in the quarterfinal round. In consolation round two, S. Gardner received a bye. In consolation round three, S. Gardner fell to Lauren Lindeman of Palmyra.
At 235, Lauren Ueding received a bye in round one. In the quarterfinal match Ueding pinned Carleigh Jackson of West Holt. Ueding fell to Addison Marschman of Fairbury in the semifinal round. In the consolation semifinal match, Ueding lost by tech fall, 22-5, to Brooklyn Snyder of Bancroft-Rosalie.
The girls state wrestling tournament will take place on February 18 and 19 in Omaha.
