1st, 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 4th = 2nd.
Boone Central’s numbers added up to a sum of excellence in the C-1 District wrestling tournament held Friday and Saturday at Boone Central High School in Albion.
With two weight class champions, two class runners-up, plus third and fourth place finishers, the Cardinals took team runner-up honors in the district event and qualified six competitors for this week’s Nebraska State Wrestling Championships in Omaha.
It was enough to make a coach proud.
“Wow! What another amazing weekend for the wrestling team!” Boone Central Coach Josh Majerus exclaimed. “The team takes runner-up – six individuals qualify for the state tournament!”
One week after the Boone Central girls placed second in the A-2 District and qualified four wrestlers for state competition, the Card boys did two better, led by junior champions Carson Wood (126) and Hank Hudson (220). Senior Sam Grape (152) and sophomore Thomas Roberts (195) were runners-up in C-1, senior Jaxon Schafer placed third and senior Colten Ray (170) fourth. They join A-2 champion Leynn Luna (110), runner-up Mishayla Slaymaker (100), and A-2 third place finishers Cadence Wood (105) and Madison Reilly (145) with travel plans for Omaha.
“It’s always a positive when all the varsity seniors advance another week. Carson and Hank join Leynn as district champs,” Majerus added. “This was a complete performance this weekend by all 12 wrestlers entered on Friday.
“I’m proud of our underclassmen who fell short of qualifying, but wrestled well and gave themselves a chance.”
Wood and Hudson dominated their competition over the weekend. Wood pinned three straight opponents before winning an 8-3 decision in the finals. Hudson, after two byes in a slimmer, but tough, 220-pound field, stuck consecutive foes in less than 2:00 each.
With those accomplishments, and the efforts of all Cardinal competitors, Boone Central scored 139 points and finished behind only champion Fillmore Central (157) in the team standings of the C-1 District.
Complete results in Print & Online editions of Albion News/Boone County Tribune
