Bearcats Win Home Invite and Roll Through Friday Duals

The Kearney High wrestling team capped off a dominant weekend with four individual championships at the annual Kearney High Invite on Saturday—just 24 hours after blasting through a Friday night triangular with a pair of lopsided dual victories. Across the two days, the Bearcats showcased depth, firepower, and bonus-point production as they prepare for the heart of the winter season.

FRIDAY NIGHT DUALS

Kearney 78, Great Bend 3

The Bearcats opened the weekend with a commanding win over Great Bend, taking 13 of 14 matches. Kearney collected 11 falls, one forfeit, and a single decision loss.

Pins came quickly and often, beginning with Victor Reyes at 106 (0:43) and continuing throughout the lineup. Jesvin Verduzco (113), Jameson Small (120), Kaden Kowalek (126), Jacob Weiler (132), Cooper Ritz (144), Colton Kelley (150), Kade Abbey (165), Trey Goodenow (175), Sam Lungrin (190), and Dylan Johnson (285) all recorded falls.

The only points surrendered came in a wild 157-pound bout where Great Bend’s Triston Tomlinson edged Braxton Robinson in a 21–15 decision.

Kearney 77, Klein (TX) 3

Kearney followed with another overwhelming showing against Klein, again winning 13 of 14 matches and piling up bonus points.

Jameson Small, Kaden Kowalek, Zaen Green, Cooper Ritz, Braxton Robinson, Kade Abbey, Trey Goodenow, Sam Lungrin, Victor Reyes, and Jesvin Verduzco all delivered falls.At 132, Jacob Weiler added a tech fall (17-2), while Colton Kelley and Dylan Johnson each won by forfeit.

Klein’s lone victory came at 215, where Thatcher Whiting dropped a tight 3–0 decision.

KEARNEY HIGH INVITE – SATURDAY RESULTS

The Bearcats carried their dual momentum into Saturday, earning four individual titles and multiple top-five finishes in one of the program’s strongest early-season outings in recent years.

Four Champions Lead the Way

126 – Kaden Kowalek stayed perfect on the year, winning a title with bonus-point wins in every round and sealing the championship with a 4–1 sudden victory over North Platte’s Tyler Haneborg.

138 – Zaen Green delivered one of the tournament’s most dominant performances, posting three tech falls and a pin on his way to gold, outscoring opponents 80–10.

150 – Colton Kelley cruised to the top of the podium, opening with two first-period pins before tallying tech falls of 18–3 and 21–4 in the semifinal and final.

190 – Sam Lungrin capped Kearney’s championship group by going 5–0 with four pins and a major decision, finishing with a fall in 1:50 in the finals.

Silver Medals and Depth Behind the Champs

Two Bearcats earned runner-up finishes:

• 120 – Jameson Small, 2nd, highlighted by three falls and a dominant tech fall.

• 132 – Jacob Weiler, 2nd, earning two tight decision wins and a sudden-victory opener before falling in the finals.

At the same 132 weight class, Owen Launer added a 3rd-place finish with two tech falls and a pin.

Additional Top Finishes

• 113 – Jesvin Verduzco, 5th (4–1), with two falls and a tech fall.

• 106 – Victor Reyes, 5th (3–2), finishing with a pair of sub-minute pins.

• 144 – Cooper Ritz, 6th (3–2), collecting two pins and a major decision.

• 157 – Mason Tripe, 9th (3–2), rallying for three straight wins.

• 165 – Kade Abbey, 5th (4–1), ending his day with three tech falls in a row.

• 175 – Trey Goodenow, 9th (3–2), finishing with two late-round pins.

• 175 – Peyton Meier, 3rd (3–1), winning all his matches by fall.

• 215 – Thatcher Whiting, 3rd (3–1), with two pins and a major decision.

• 285 – Dylan Johnson, 5th (4–1), picking up three consecutive falls.