All eyes will be on the CenturyLink Center in Omaha this weekend as three Elgin Public-Pope John wrestlers compete in the 2015 NSAA State Wrestling Championships.
Beginning Thursday and concluding on Saturday, the tournament will feature the best high school wrestlers in the state, going head-to-head in all four classes.
Wolfpack wrestlers qualified for state on Saturday, competing at the Class D-2 District Tournament held at Creighton High School.
Andrew Fangman, Ryan Pelster and Logan Henn wrestled their way into the state tournament. Fangman finished first in the 152-pound weight class, Pelster placed second in the 145-pound class while Henn took second in the 106-pound class.
Fangman, a junior, will be making his third trip to state. Pelster, a junior, will be competing in the state championships for the second time. Henn, a freshman, will be making his first trip to state. The trio are coached by Doug Jones and Mike Zegers.
First round matches will be held Thursday.
Henn’s first match will be against Kale Fishler of Harvard. A sophomore, Fishler compiled at 28-13 record wrestling for Harvard High School.
At 145 pounds, Pelster’s first match will be against Josh Cinocco of Minatare High School. Cinocco, a sophomore, enters the tournament with a 24-13 record.
Fangman will begin his third trip to state on Thursday, his first round match to be against Austin Johnson of Ansley/Litchfield. Johnson compiled a 12-18 regular season record.
The state wrestling championship schedule is as follows:
Thursday, February 19
8 a.m. — Weigh-Ins
9:30 a.m. — Class D First Round followed immediately by the Quarterfinals.
Friday, February 20
8 a.m. — Weigh-Ins
9:30 a.m. — First Round Consolation followed immediately by Second Round Consolation matches.
5 p.m. — Semifinals and Third Round Consolations
Saturday, February 21
9:30 a.m. — Consolation Semifinals followed by Third & Fifth Place matches
3 p.m. — Finals
