MURRAY, NEB.–Wrestlers from across the state spent their Saturday on the wrestling mats at Conestoga’s feature wrestling event, the Cougar Classic.

Sixteen Conestoga wrestlers took part in the annual event. The home team placed third in the 11-team tournament with 117.5 points. Syracuse (188) and Bishop Neumann (162.5) finished first and second, respectively.

Eight Cougars walked off the mats with medals in hand. Keaghon Chini (132) and Carter Plowman (145) led the way for Conestoga with championship efforts. Cameron Williams (138) also made an appearance in the championship finals, finishing as runner-up. Asher Koehnen placed 2nd at 106 in a round robin bracket. Rounding out the medalists were Braden Ruffner (3rd at 126), Ethan Avidano (4th at 126), Scott Dufault (4th at 138) and Gage Totilas (4th at 220).

Williams won his 100th career match during the tournament.

Due to the global pandemic, the Classic looked a bit different this year. Each team was housed in classrooms with wrestlers waiting until their matches were called on deck to enter the competition gym. The stands also were much less crowded this year with each wrestler only permitted to invite on family member to the tournament.

Despite the new protocols in place, the tournament ran smoothly and all athletes were able to compete.

Conestoga Team Results

106 – Asher Koehnen (2nd)

Pinned by Wesley Havelka (FRE) 2:46, pinned by Wesley Havelka (FRE) 1:25

126 – Braden Ruffner (3rd)

Pinned Nick McCaul (LOU) 1:29, dec. by Cade Lierman (NEU) 12-10, pinned Roman Coats (HTRS) 0:59, pinned Ethan Avidano (CHS) 2:34

126 – Ethan Avidano (4th)

Pinned Roman Coats (HTRS) 1:17, pinned by Barret Brandt (SYR) 1:39, dec. Brink Stawniak (CHS) 11-4, pinned by Braden Ruffner (CHS) 2:34

126 – Brink Stawniak

Pinned by Cade Lierman (NEU) 1:08, pinned Nick McCaul (LOU) 3:44, dec. by Ethan Avidano (CHS) 11-4

132 – Jagger Plevel

Pinned Michael Gehring (PLY) 3:20, pinned by Max Lautenschlager (NEU) 0:29, pinned Zeke Sharpback-Lujan (WNB) 0:44, pinned William Taylor (HTRS) 1:33, pinned by Josh Urlacher (NEU) 2:19

132 – Carter Wessar

Pinned by Niklas Sorensen (LOU) 3:14, pinned by William Taylor (HTRS) 0:22

132 – Keaghon Chini (1st)

Pinned Zeke Sharpback-Lujan (WNB) 0:22, pinned Joe Haberman (NEU) 0:47, pinned Josh Urlacher (NEU) 5:11, dec. Max Lautenschlager (NEU) 11-5

138 – Scott Dufault (4th)

Pinned by Creighton Orchard (SYR) 2:54, pinned Matt Cover (WW) 3:17, pinned Melaki George (WNB) 0:41, dec. Alonzo Bass (WNB) 10-5, pinned by Brock Hudson (LOU) 3:39

138 – Cameron Williams (2nd)

Pinned Gideon Connelly (FRE) 1:34, pinned Alonzo Bass (WNB) 1:30, tech fall by Seth Fairbanks (NEU) 21-4 (5:27)

145 – Carter Plowman (1st)

Pinned Blake Dickey (LOU) 0:46, tech fall Judd Alberts (FRE) 16-1 (4:36), maj. dec. Adam Ohnoutka (NEU) 19-6

145 – Jacob Landon

Pinned by Noah McKenzie (SYR) 1:12, pinned by Brian Connelly (FRE) 1:59

152 – Lucas Anderson

Pinned Jayden Kreifel (NEU) 1:02, pinned by Barrett Bischoff (SYR) 4:51, pinned by Conner Specht (NEU) 3:40

160 – Jabari Parsons

Pinned by Thomas Vrana (NEU) 0:46, pinned by Wyatt Anderson (HTRS) 0:44

220 – Malakai Jones

Pinned by Chance Buchanan (SYR) 1:06, pinned by Gage Totilas (CHS) 0:43

220 – Gage Totilas (4th)

Pinned Clayton Howe (HTRS) 0:35, dec. by Micheal Bryan-Aldrich (PLY) 9-2, pinned Malakai Jones (CHS) 0:43, pinned Tyson Warner (LOU) 1:00, pinned Chance Buchanan (SYR) 3:00, daily match limit forfeit to Micheal Bryan-Aldrich (PLY)

Destiny Epp

Pinned by Daysha Jones (LOU), pinned by Allie Burke (HPC), pinned by Darian Earth (WIN)