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2019 was a year of change for the State Duals. For starters, the date of the State Duals was moved up in the season and now takes place prior to the District Tournaments and State Tournament. Secondly, the qualifying criteria was changed to a wildcard point system like what is used in other NSAA sports.

We now enter the second year of these changes as we head into the 2020 Class B State Duals. Blair took home the 2019 State Duals title last year and they are back looking to repeat as the #6 seed. This year’s Class B state duals have several new teams, two of which were in Class C last year (Pierce and Minden). This state dual tournament has all the makings of being very competitive and several of the teams could finish at the top. As with any wrestling dual, match-ups and bonus points are critical to winning and this year’s State Duals is no different. Keep in mind that lineup shifts may occur to strengthen lineups and add points that could shift the dual in another team’s favor, but that is not accounted for unless mentioned.

The Teams:

No. 1 – Hastings Tigers
106 Markus Miller
113 Hunter Anderson
120 Dalton Hansen
126 Landon Weidner
132 Bryce Brown
138 Austin Yohe
145 Jett Samuelson
152 Mason Brumbaugh
160 Izaak Hunsley
170 Jackson Phelps
182 Damen Pape
195 Evan Morara
220 Blake Davis
285 Josh Callejas

No. 2 – Adams Central Patriots
106 Tristen Obermiller
113 Braiden Kort
120 Devon Ackles
126 Konnor Howard
132 Kayleb Saurer
138 Cameron Kort
145 Jeret Frerichs
152 Jackson Johnson
160 Blake Bonifas
170 Oaklyn Smith
182 Wyatt Janssen
195 Sam Hemberger
220 Jacob Deckert
285 Tyler Pavelka

No. 3 – Pierce Bluejays
106 OPEN
113 Brock Bolling
120 Jayden Coulter
126 Blake Bolling
132 Carter Jensen
138 Jeremiah Kruntorad
145 Michael Kruntorad
152 Ashton Schweitzer
160 Zander Schweitzer
170 Parker Sackville
182 Brett Tinker
195 Travis Jensen
220 Dylan Kuehler
285 Sam Rosno

No. 4 – Bennington Badgers
106 Kael Laurdisen
113 AJ Parrish
120 Hunter Anderson
126 Austin Breckenridge
132 Matthew Coe
138 Robert Greenwood
145 Colby Puck
152 Connor Brecht
160 Joseph Wells
170 Logan Burmester
182 Luke MacDonald
195 Hunter Thompson
220 Garett Menke
286 Jake Stier

No. 5 – Central City Bison
106 Drew Garfield
113 Cole Kunz
120 Brandon Fye
126 Dyson Kunz
132 Johnny Scarlett
138 Kane VonBonn
145 Tanner Schneiderheinz
152 Bryce Sutton
160 Sam Moore
170 Jaramie Elton
182 Micah Loy
195 Nik Erickson
220 OPEN
285 Gunner Bailey

No. 6 – Blair Bears
106 Jesse Loges
113 Luke Frost
120 Shay Bailey
126 Tyler Curtis
132 Brody Karls
138 Hank Frost
145 Dylan Berg
152 Duncan Loges
160 Treyton Jones
170 Yoan Camejo
182 Braden Hanson
195 Dexter Larsen
220 Lance Hume
285 Brady Soukup

No. 7 – Gering Bulldogs
106 Marquel Maldonado
113 Quinton Chavez
120 Paul Ruff
126 Tyler Nagel
132 Nathaniel Murillo
138 Nate Rocheleau
145 Albert Stone
152 Colling Schwartzkopf
160 Donovan DeLosSandton
170 Eli Thompson
182 Taydon Gorsuch
195 Andrew Mount
220 Iziah Blanco
285 Tucker Hixon

No. 8 – Minden Whippets
106 Kole Nielsen
113 Kaden Clark
120 Evan Smith
126 Hunter Heath
132 Jon Brais
138 Jasper Birkestrand
145 Gage Fries
152 Alex Banuelos
160 Eduardo Gonzalez
170 Jaron Brown
182 Daulton Kuehn
195 Gage Lupkes
220 Gavin Lupkes
285 Alex Quintana

The Bracket:

The Predictions:

Quarter-Finals

#1 Hastings vs. #8 Minden
The Tigers have been the #1 dual team for the entire year due to the strength of their line-up from top to bottom. Hastings has five losses on the season, with all five coming to Class A teams. They have very few “holes” in their line-up and will be a tough out for anyone. Minden enters the tournament after moving up from Class C and posting an 8-2 record. While the Whippets have a gritty group, they don’t have the firepower to stay with Hastings. Smith, Heath and Brown are the top point scorers for Minden.

Projected Winner: Hastings

#4 Bennington vs. #5 Central City
Two solid dual teams in this match-up. Look for the coaches to do some shuffling between weights to get the best match-up for their teams. At 106 & 113, Bennington is unbelievably tough. Then at 120 & 126 Central City should take those matches. At the upper weights, Bennington seems to have the advantage which should push them over the top. Look for 138 & 145 to be key matches to determine the winner of this one.

Projected Winner: Bennington

#3 Pierce vs. #6 Blair
The Class B newcomers in Pierce take on the young but defending State Duals champs. Blair has been dealing with some injuries; however, they seem to be peaking at the right time. This one should be determined from weights 138 to 160. Bonus points will be at a premium because of the close nature of this dual.

Projected Winner: Blair

#2 Adams Central vs. #7 Gering
The Patriots arrived on the scene in a big way posting a 19-1 recording coming into the tournament. They have had a great season and are a very solid dual team. Gering enters with a 9-2 record with one of their losses coming to Adams Central at the Gothenburg Duals. Should be a back and forth affair in the lower weights, but the Patriots seem to have too much firepower in the upper weights.

Projected Winner: Adams Central

Semi-Finals

#1 Hastings vs. #4 Bennington
Most think that Hastings and Bennington are two of the top two Class B dual teams heading into the tournament. As with a lot of duals, bonus points are going to be at a premium. In this tight match-up they will make an even bigger impact. Hastings should be able to flex its muscle at 152 and 160 which should push them to the win.

Projected Winner: Hastings

#2 Adams Central vs. #6 Blair
One of the tougher duals to predict, simply based on the moving of wrestlers to find the best match-up. Adams Central has done a good job all season of putting the right pieces in the right places. Blair on the other hand has battled the injury bug but is coming off a huge weekend in winning the EMC tournament. Should be a great dual but going with the team with all the momentum.

Projected Winner: Blair

Finals

#1 Hastings vs. #6 Blair
If this match-up happens, it will be a rematch from the Flatwater Fracas with Hastings coming out on top 38-31. While Blair could win a few swing matches to win the dual, Hastings just has too many weapons. They have been aiming for this opportunity since last season and it will be hard to deny them. The Bears would have to wrestle nearly perfect for them to pull off the upset.

Projected 2020 Class B NSAA State Dual Champions: Hastings