Boone Central senior Jacob Meyer was the lone Cardinal standing when B-3 District medals were handed out Saturday, qualifying for his third consecutive trip to the Nebraska State Wrestling Championships in Omaha with a fourth place finish in the 145-pound weight class.
With a number of the state’s best Class B teams and wrestlers in the rugged B-3 field at York High School Friday and Saturday, Boone Central did not enjoy the success it hoped for entering competition. Coach Dale Bonge was pleased with the efforts of his young squad, however.
“Going into the tournament, we were not favored to qualify anyone (for state), as our highest seed was fifth and only the top four in each weight qualify,” Bonge noted. “We competed well on day one and pushed three young men into the semi-finals.
“Jake came from behind and beat the #3 seed, who had beaten Jake earlier in the year. Cody Shanno knocked off the #4 seed and Bobby Stopak had a dominant performance, winning by major decision, 11-0.
“Mitch Patzel and Kody Sock nailed down a pair of pins each to advance to day two, as well.”
Unfortunately, after that promising start, Boone Central found trouble from the start Saturday, and only Meyer was able to grasp a coveted and elusive state berth.
“Jake faced a kid who had pinned him earlier in the year in his heartbreak-round match. He fell behind 2-1 after a reversal in the third period, but reversed the guy to his back and scored a pin to qualify for state for the third straight year,” Bonge said.
“For the tournament, we won every match but two we were favored to win and won three where we were not favored,” Bonge praised. “Everyone competed well and can be proud of their efforts.”
Complete Card Results in Print & Online Editions of Albion News.
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