Kearney Wins Council Bluffs Classic for First Time Since 2013

Kearney High wrestling capped a dominant weekend by winning the team championship at the 2025 Council Bluffs Wrestling Classic, finishing first out of 39 teams. The Bearcats totaled 482.5 points, pulling away from Grand Island (398.0) and Brandon Valley (393.5) to secure the title in one of the region’s most competitive tournaments.

The championship effort was fueled by a first-place finish from Colton Kelley, a runner-up performance by Jameson Small, and depth across nearly every weight class.

150 pounds – Colton Kelley (1st place, 13-0)

Kelley led the way for Kearney, going a perfect 5-0 to win the 150-pound title. He recorded two falls, a tech fall, a major decision, and an overtime win in the quarterfinals before closing the tournament with a 9-5 decision over Ben Walsh of Sergeant Bluff-Luton. Kelley remained undefeated on the season and scored a team-high 63.5 points.

120 pounds – Jameson Small (2nd place, 12-2)

Small powered his way to the finals with three falls, two tech falls, and a major decision. He controlled his semifinal bout before finishing second to undefeated Brendon Oehme of Brandon Valley. Small’s runner-up finish added 61.0 team points.

126 pounds – Kaden Kowalek (4th place, 11-2)

Kowalek delivered one of the tournament’s most aggressive performances, recording four falls — three in under two minutes — on his way to a fourth-place finish. He reached the semifinals before running into tough competition and finished with 49.0 points.

106 pounds – Victor Reyes (6th place, 10-4)

Reyes made a deep run at 106 pounds, bouncing back from a quarterfinal loss with multiple wins in the consolation bracket. He earned two pins and a tech fall during the tournament and placed sixth, scoring 38.5 points.

132 pounds – Jacob Weiler (6th place, 11-4)

Weiler battled through a deep bracket and responded with three straight wins in the consolation rounds to earn a sixth-place finish. His tournament included a tech fall and two major decisions, contributing 37.5 points.

190 pounds – Sam Lungrin (6th place, 12-2)

Lungrin mixed power and control throughout the weekend, recording a tech fall, two pins, and multiple decision wins. He rebounded after a quarterfinal loss to finish sixth and add 38.5 points.

138 pounds – Zaen Green (7th place, 12-3)

Green was one of Kearney’s most active scorers, tallying five bonus-point victories, including three tech falls and two pins. He closed his tournament with a decision win in the seventh-place match and scored 35.5 points.

113 pounds – Jesvin Verduzco (7th place, 10-4)

Verduzco recovered from an early setback to place seventh. He earned a pin and multiple bonus-point wins before securing an 8-5 decision in the seventh-place match, adding 32.0 points.

285 pounds – Dylan Johnson (7th place, 11-4)

Johnson recorded four pins at heavyweight and finished his weekend strong with a fall in the seventh-place match. His effort produced 36.0 team points.

175 pounds – Peyton Meier (8th place, 7-4)

Meier reached the quarterfinals and picked up a tech fall, a major decision, and a pin before finishing eighth. He contributed 29.5 points in a competitive weight class.

157 pounds – Braxton Robinson (11th place, 6-4)

Robinson collected four pins during the tournament and closed with a fall in the 11th-place match, adding 22.0 points.

144 pounds – Cooper Ritz (11th place, 9-6)

Ritz fought through a tough draw and finished with a major decision in the 11th-place match. He scored 15.0 points for the Bearcats.

215 pounds – John Florell (12th place, 5-1)

Florell opened the tournament with four straight wins, including three pins, before injuries forced medical forfeits late. Despite the setback, he totaled 17.0 points.

165 pounds – Kade Abbey (14th place, 9-5)

Abbey picked up a decision and a pin early and battled back through the consolation rounds to finish 14th, contributing 7.5 points.

Team standings (top 5 of 39 teams):

1. Kearney — 482.5

2. Grand Island — 398.0

3. Brandon Valley — 393.5

4. Columbus — 392.5

5. Bennington — 357.0