The wrestling season at CHS has come to an end, and to finish off the season, they competed at the state wrestling tournament last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. There were 11 wrestlers participating in this year’s event, and Coach Keiswetter led them on the road to victory.

The CHS wrestling team isn’t unfamiliar with winning this event. The wrestling team has had a lot of wins in the past, with traditions and deep-rooted history encapsulated in their iconic maroon robes. The wrestling team has had 7 wins in past years, being the reigning champs from 1974 to 1981. Since then, the wrestling team has been reaching for greatness, and this year, they aimed to take back the title!

Coach Keiswetter said that his goals for the wrestling team this year were for them to achieve the goals they set for themselves. He said that some of them had goals to become state champions and others are trying to be state medalists. Others still are just acquiring experience for the future. 

He says a wrestler that really showed effort this year was Levi Cerny. When he wrestles, his coach says that you can truly see the work he puts in.  Keiswetter says that’s where good things come from. Just like Keiswetter predicted, things went well for Cerny this season, as he ended up qualifying for the state tournament. 

Aside from Cerny, of the other 9 men that qualified, 6 of them placed in the top four. In the 130-pound weight class, Cayden Kucera, placed 4th, losing to Tanner Hosick via pin in the 3rd/4th match. 4 wrestlers placed 3rd. They were Brenyn Delano (106), Blake Cerny (120), Rylee Iberg (170), and Liam Blaser (195).  Brenyn Delano prevailed over Isaac Ekdahl from Millard South, Blake Cerny won via decision over fellow Patriot Gino Rettele and Rylee Iberg earned a major decision victory over Sam Andres of Lincoln Pius X. The last wrestler to place 3rd, defeating Max McClatchey from Lincoln South West was junior Liam Blaser. Carter Braun and Levi Bloomquist each won one match but failed to place for Columbus.

Adrian Bice was Columbus’ lone state champion, beating Brandon Baustert from Lincoln East in the championship round.  Bice also defeated Yusef Muhammed of Omaha Bryan, Logan Glinn of Millard South, and eventual 5th place medalist Calvin Empkey of rival Norfolk en route to becoming the 126-pound champion.

In the end, the wrestling team finished off a great season.  With Bice returning to defend his title next year, Delano and Blaser looking to move up the podium, and Cerny and Kucera looking to make a statement at next year’s tournament, the future is looking quite bright for CHS Wrestling. For more information on sports and activities at CHS follow Anchor News on Fusfoo, Instagram, and Twitter.