LEXINGTON, Neb. — Sidney senior Patrick McCartney (32-1) won the 190-pound bracket at the John Higgins Wrestling Invitational on Saturday in Lexington, claiming the championship with a commanding 7-1 decision over Bennington’s Dalton Rhoten in the finals. 

Freshman Cayson Boltjes also impressed for Sidney in the 215-pound weight class, bouncing back from an earlier setback to claim third place with a 10-5 decision over North Platte’s Will Rathjen.

Sidney finish 15th in the team standings with 52 points.

Gering, which finished eighth in the team race with 91 points, saw strong contributions across several weight classes. Junior Frost Wallace (28-10) emerged as the 113-pound champion, pinning Gothenburg’s Lucas Therrien in 5:03.

At 120 pounds, freshman Evan Strom earned a fifth-place finish with a dominant 16-1 technical fall over Hastings’ Kolt Hudson. Junior Jayden Hakert also finished in fifth place at 132 pounds, pinning Gothenburg’s Christopher Flores in 1:51. Senior Isaiah Murillo added to Gering’s success, edging Maddox Gilligan of Gothenburg 10-9 to claim fifth place at 144 pounds.

Junior Rece Knight represented Gering in the 175-pound weight class, grinding out a 1-0 victory over Holdrege’s Andrew Smith to secure third place. 

Overall, Bennington took the team title with 179 points, followed by York (158) and Scott Community High School (141.5). 

Sidney secures two fourth place finishes at John Higgins Girls Invitational

LEXINGTON, Neb. — Senior Saphira Whitley placed fourth in the 170-pound bracket after falling to Lexington’s Hadlie Wolf in the consolation final. At 235 pounds, senior Leeann Mulleavey also earned a fourth-place finish, dropping her final match to McCook’s Kayleigh Steinbeck in just 45 seconds.

Sidney finished 15th in the team standings with 28 points at the John Higgins Girls Invitational on Friday in Lexington.

Natrona County wins team title at Chadron Wrestling Invite

CHADRON, Neb. – Natrona County dominated the Chadron Wrestling Invitational on Saturday, winning the team title with 223.5 points.

Host Chadron finished second with 151.5, edging Alliance by half a point, while Valentine (143) and Chase County (126.5) rounded out the top five.

Natrona County’s success was highlighted by performances from Brodey Wilcox (150) and Tucker Sides (215), who claimed their respective titles. Wilcox (33-5) won by an 11-0 major decision, while Sides (35-2) earned a dominant 13-3 major decision in his championship match.

Chadron's Quinn Bailey (157) and Zane Cullers (165) secured titles for the Cardinals. Bailey (28-2) earned a technical fall victory in just over two minutes, while Cullers (32-4) pinned teammate Layne Davidson in 46 seconds for the title.

Chase County’s Zach Tarin (285) remained unbeaten on the season, winning his final by a 7-0 decision. Another unbeaten performance came from Luis Co (144) of Chase County, who pinned Central’s Ryan Gonzales in 3:04.

Alliance had strong showings from Coy Childers (113) and Andrew Benzel (132), who each earned first-place finishes. Childers (31-1) won by fall, while Benzel edged Valentine’s Jehki Williams in a 2-1 decision.

The competition also featured notable wins from Diego Juarez (106) of Ogallala, Dyson Eixenberger (120) of Newell and Cody Holmgren (175) of Crawford. 

Gering edges Chadron for team girls title

CHADRON, Neb. – Gering secured a narrow victory over host Chadron at the Chadron High School Girls Wrestling Invitational on Saturday, earning the team title with 129.5 points to Chadron’s 126.5.

Bayard’s Carlie McKibbin (33-2) dominated the 100-pound bracket, defeating Kyra Vandenberg of Belle Fourche 9-3 in the championship match. Lakota Tech’s Brandy Marshall (19-3) captured the 105-pound title with a third-period pin against Gering’s Rylee Luce. Morrill’s Jazzmyne Hardin (24-7) controlled the 110-pound finals, pinning Valentine’s Talia Wenig in 3:31.

Lakota Tech also won gold with Lakota Rogers (115) and Cante Whitebull (120). Rogers pinned Ogallala’s Kaitlyn Freiberg in just 44 seconds, while Whitebull bested Chadron’s Bristol Prado in 3:32.

Chase County also made its mark, as Paige Owens (33-2) claimed the 125-pound crown, and Peyton Owens earned a hard-fought 12-8 decision over Bridgeport’s Cammie Rader to win at 140 pounds. Hayley Rusher (35-0) stayed undefeated, pinning her opponent in 2:20 for the 145-pound title.

Chadron’s Addison Diers (155) and Vivian Golembiewski (170) delivered gold for the host team, while Alliance’s Surenity Lewis (235) capped the day with a dramatic pin in the finals.

Lakota Tech (108 points), Belle Fourche (103.5), and Bridgeport (92) rounded out the top five in team standings.