A3 District at Ralston High School

Columbus ended the season 5th in the team rankings while Lincoln Southwest was 6th. Both teams have firepower, but their depth is what will determine the team title. Key matchups between their wrestlers should occur at 182, 195 and 220. Papillion La-Vista finished the season ranked 7th and they have definite firepower and some depth that could potentially make it a 3-team race.

Marquee Weight Classes

106:
Niemiec owns a 5-3 win over Ramirez, and Ramirez owns two wins over Morrow. Morrow and Kildow will battle to see who gets the 3rd spot, but Morrow’s tougher schedule and match count that is twice as much as Kildow’s should be part of why he prevails.

Projected Qualifiers:
1. #2 Cody Niemiec (Papillion-LaVista) 33-2
2. #6 Eliceo Ramirez (Grand Island) 23-12
3. Jaxon Morrow (Lincoln Southwest) 28-14
4. Shane Kildow (Ralston) 14-6

113:
Niemiec and Kucera have split matches this season with Kucera winning the first match by fall and Niemiec winning their most recent match by major decision. Niemiec owns a 3-0 win over Fielder and a win by fall over Mendoza. Mendoza should get the 4th spot based on his strength of schedule.

Projected Qualifiers:
1. #3 Nolan Niemiec (Papillion-LaVista) 39-8
2. #6 Carter Kucera (Columbus) 32-8
3. Cody Fielder (Fremont) 28-4
4. David Mendoza (Grand Island) 16-15

126:
Carlson’s only losses are to the top 3 wrestlers in class A. He owns a 7-3 win over Hallett and Hallett owns a 7-2 win over Urbina. Urbina lost the first match of the season to Koch, but recorded a fall over Koch at the HAC conference meet.

Projected Qualifiers:
1. #3 Cody Carlson (Fremont) 25-7
2. Ben Hallett (Papillion-LaVista) 39-13
3. #6 Emerson Urbina (Grand Island) 22-13
4. Chayton Koch (Lincoln Southwest) 31-7

170:
Baldwin has spent a portion of the season at 182 and owns two wins over Cisneros. Cruz has won 2 of his 3 meetings with Cisneros, and has split matches with Pettit this season. Baldwin and Pettit get the top 2 spots based on their strength of schedule.

Projected Qualifiers:
1. #6 Zach Baldwin (Columbus) 31-6
2. #4 Justin Pettit (Fremont) 28-5
3. Alex Cruz (Ralston) 25-10
4. Jesus Cisneros (Lincoln North Star) 25-17

182:
Shaw has more than a handful of quality wins as does Edwards. Edwards’ schedule is more class B heavy, so he brings an unknown factor to the table. Edwards does have a win over Gasper, and Grape’s strength of schedule gives him an edge over Gasper.

Projected Qualifiers:
1. #2 Justin Shaw (Lincoln Southwest) 39-2
2. #3 Jordan Edwards (Elkhorn South) 37-7
3. Kasten Grape (Columbus) 27-14
4. Jared Gasper (Ralston) 22-11

195:
Wolfe has been completely dominant this season and owns two falls over Boatwright. Myers owns a win over Ortiz, and Ortiz owns a win over Boatwright. Myers has been very consistent and has jumped levels during the season and should meet Wolfe in the finals.

Projected Qualifiers:
1. #1 Colton Wolfe (Columbus) 48-0
2. #4 Jarrett Myers (Lincoln Southwest) 33-3
3. Eric Ortiz (Grand Island) 16-13
4. Brendon Boatwright (Papilion-LaVista) 17-13

Other Contender:
Noah Hilton (Ralston) 18-15

220:
Clanton’s only loss on the season came at the hands of Olcott’s teammate Colton Wolfe, while Olcott’s only district loss came to Clanton. Don’t count Willis out as he could surprise the field here. Expect exciting semifinals and finals matches here.

Projected Qualifiers:
1. #1 Connor Clanton (Lincoln Southwest) 40-1
2. #2 Wyatt Olcott (Columbus) 30-4
3. Dajour Willis (Ralston) 26-5
4. Colton McCurdy (Fremont) 24-20

285:
Returning state finalist Marshall owns wins over Holsteen and Patterson. Patterson and Holsteen have slightly tougher schedules than Bowyer, but don’t be surprised if the Bowyer makes the finals.

Projected Qualifiers:
1. #3 Cyrus Marshall (Columbus) 41-6
2. #6 Cole Patterson (Papillion-LaVista) 27-10
3. Kainan Bowyer (Ralston) 24-7
4. Dillon Holsteen (Lincoln Southwest) 18-17