Wildcats Take Home 5th place finish at State Tournament.

Courtesy Photo:Audrey Thomsen

Head Coach Connor Bolling set one of the goals for the Wildcat Wrestling team with the 6 kids they were taking to Omaha was to be a Top 5 team in the State. The Wildcats did just that. While they didn't medal all 6 kids. They split the difference bringing home 1 Gold and 2 Bronze Medals from the CHI Health Center in Omaha.

Alex Meinecke on his birthday wrestled his way to a Gold medal at 175lbs defeating returning State Champion Wyatt Tramp via Major Decision by a Final score of 13-5. It marked the 3rd time Meinecke had bested Tramp this year. Meinecke becomes the first Cat to bring home Gold since Quade Peterson in 2022.

Rylan Rasmussen at 113lbs was one of 2 Bronze Medalists taking his first round match no problem. Rylan fought through the Quarterfinals for a 9-8 victory before falling short to Jace Martin of Wood River in the Semis. Guaranteed a medal Rasmussen pushed for 3rd taking a 4-2 decision over Easton Malleck of Amherst before dominating Kolten Wragge of Pierce in the 3rd Place match 14-6 earning the Major Decision victory for 3rd Place.

The Cat's final medalist included Junior Layne Baker bringing home the other Bronze. Baker won his first 2 matches via pinfall in the first round before getting a decisive victory over Harrison Reed of Minden to earn a ticket to the Semifinals. Baker fell short to eventual State Champion Ryan Stusse Jr. in the match. Baker shutout Kevin Pedraza of Madison to wrestle for 3rd where Baker won a dogfight over Draydin Gossman also of Pierce 6-4.

Head Coach Connor Bolling shared his thoughts with the KRGI Sports Network following the Tournament on the bright future ahead for the Wildcats and his group's effort in Omaha this past week.