Bluejays Send Five Girls to State
By: Brenden Bolling
The girls journeyed to Weeping Water to compete in the Class B district three tournament February 6-7. The team ended up finishing as district runners-up and sending five people to the state tournament, including Essynce Owens-Webb (105), Isabelle Streff (120), Jayan Sackville (125), Evelyn Skrdla (130), and Isabelle Kuehler (170).
Starting off, Owens-Webb finished as the district champion in her first round; she received a bye, then she pinned Corianne Herrick of Weeping Water in 20 seconds, as well as Jillian Hebert of Wilber-Clatonia. In the finals, Owens-Webb pinned Aydrian Meyer of Thayer Central in 19 seconds, giving her the gold.
Kuehler brought home a district title for herself as well, pinning everyone she faced. In the first round, Kuehler received a bye. She then went on to pin her next three opponents. Kuehler pinned Evie Bottger of Arlington in 3:23. In the semis, she pinned Shae Jackson of West Holt in 1:05. Onto the finals, Kuehler stuck Libby Evans of Elgin Public/Pope John in 3:34, giving her the gold.
Streff finished in third place, punching her ticket to the state tournament. In round one, Streff pinned Delena Sladek of Wilber-Clatonia. In the quarterfinals Streff pinned Sofie Lewis of Arlington. Moving into the semis, Streff fell to Madelynn Zierott of Louisville. On the backside, Streff proceeded to pin her next two opponents, Aviana Mora of Grand Island Central Catholic and Sofie Lewis of Arlington, giving Streff the bronze.
Following that, Sackville placed fourth, allowing her to compete at state. In round one, she pinned Natalie Chrans of Wilber-Clatonia. Next in the quarters, Sackville pinned Abbie Schakat of Arlington. Sackville then fell to Felycia Kerkman of West Holt. In the consolations, Sackville pinned Amelia Sheard of Omaha Gross Catholic. For third place, Sackville fell to Hailey Hartl of Elkhorn Valley, giving her the fourth place finish.
Also placing fourth was Skrdla, who pinned Alynna Wallace of Wood River. She then fell to Ruthie Hanzel of Cedar Bluffs. Skrdla then won by technical fall, 17-0, over Jayda Chessmore of Elgin Public/Pope John. She then pinned Jada Hall of Lyons-Decatur Northeast in 2:38. Skrdla then won by disqualification over Collins Hubl of Sandy Creek. In the third place match, Skrdla then had to medically forfeit against Ruthie Hanzel.
“(The) girls wrestled well, felt like we were in better shape then most, and were ready to compete, which is a testament that our program is there and prepared. I’m very proud of everyone,” head coach Les Painter states.
At 135 pounds, Lainey Jensen pinned Kelsey Luebbe of Centennial. Jensen fell to Braelyn Degenhardt of Thayer Central. Next, Jensen proceeded to pin her next two opponents, Mary Crable of Malcolm and Madeline Stapp of Platteview. Finally, Jensen fell to Morgan Kutcha of Cedar Catholic.
Next, Candace Miller (190) received a bye in round one. Following that, she pinned Cassidy Roelfs of Fairbury. Miller then fell to Elizabeth DeRoos of Crofton/Bloomfield. She then went on to win over her next two opponents, Olivia Bright of Wilber-Clatonia, 2-0, and Hailee Buresh of Meridian by pin. Miller then fell to Donna Flores of Arlington.
“The team did well, only bringing eight girls to districts and placing second as a team. Also, having five of the eight make it to state,” C. Miller, a senior, stated.
Lastly, Reniya Miller at 235 lost her first round to Raegin Rahn of Crofton/Bloomfield. She then moved to the next round because of a bye. R. Miller lost to Nevaeh Bryant from Wood River in a 4-0 decision.
The five qualifiers will compete next at the state tournament in Omaha on February 17-18.
