The 2024 NSAA State Wrestling Championships have already brought with them plenty of excitement and drama. Wrestlers from Central City, High Plains and Nebraska Christian have left blood, sweat and even those dreaded tears on many of the ten mats inside the CHI Health Center in Omaha.

While Thursday and Friday morning have been exciting in their own right, nothing can compare to the excitement that comes on Friday night as the field is trimmed and the arena is packed full of fans highly anticipating the semifinals. Area wrestlers will take the mat looking for glory as a win can catapult you into Saturday’s finals. On the consolation side it brings the heartbreak round. A round that is very simple. A loss ends your season, but a win guarantees a spot on the podium with a state medal wrapped around your neck.

Let's have a look at what is to come here tonight: 

Central City will carry two wrestlers into the semifinals while two more will battle to keep their season alive. First up will be Dalton Lovejoy (106) who is coming off of a big win over Kellen Lovitt of Milford. Lovejoy lost in his opening match of the tournament and has since been on a terror. He will look to continue that momentum as he squares off with Erik Prado of Johnson County Central. The freshman, Prado, sits 45-5 on the season.

At 144 pounds it will be Tristan Burbach taking the mat for the Bison as he looks to continue is path to defending his state championship from a season ago. Burbach has secured a pin and a major decision to start his tournament. He is yet to be challenged, but that could change tonight as he steps to the mat across from Luis Co of Chase County. The junior has had an impressive season sporting a 47-5 record. Co placed fifth in 2023 at the NSAA State Championships and will be looking for the upset. 

The moment of the tournament so far has to be Bryce Kunz getting the double overtime win in the quarterfinals to avenge a pair of losses to Alex Meinecke of St. Paul. The win places him into the 157 semifinals where things will once again be tough. Kunz finds himself up against Chance Foust of Logan View. Foust sits 41-3 on the season including an overtime loss to Meinecke at the Central City Invitational. 

Rounding out the night for the Bison will be Riley Lavene at heavyweight. Lavene started off the tournament with a decision, but then would fall in a close match with Jt Brands of Oakland-Craig. He rebounded nicely with a 1-0 decision over Kolten Simmons who defeated Brands at districts. Lavene will square off with Drew Knoezer of Hi-Line, a senior who sports a 28-4 record and fell to only Marky Henrichs who is the favorite in the bracket.

For High Plains the semifinals and consolation will bring four big matches beginning with Hudson Urkoski at 120 in the consolation. He will look for a spot on the podium as he will face Joseph Barnell, a junior with a 29-12 record on the season.

The semifinals matches will begin with Lance Russell at 126 who will look to secure a spot in the finals after a great start to his tournament. Russell will face a challenge in the form of Landon Hansen of Plainview, a junior who is 35-12 on the season. 

At 144 pounds the Storm will see Gage Friesen up against a hammer. Friesen will look for the upset as he faces Dylan Brichacek of Howells-Dodge, a junior who sits 18-1 on the season. 

Wyatt Urkoski is looking to close out his career on the highest of mountains as he chases that elusive state championship. Urkoski remains undefeated in his senior campaign, but Kolby Houchin of Bayard will look to pull off the upset. Houchin sits 42-7 in his senior season.

For Nebraska Christian it was quality over quantity this season as Zach Huenefeld (165) was their lone state qualifier. Huenefeld started strong, but then ran into trouble in his second match on Thursday. Zach looked like a man on a mission as he secured a decision over Alek Malzahn of Alma to advance to the heartbreak round. He will need to keep that momentum as he finds himself up against senior Drew Varner of Hemingford. Varner sports a 42-10 record and also will be hungry to taste victory to secure a place on the podium. 

It will be a night full of unforgettable moments for those who reach their dreams and sadly unforgettable for those who fall short. It is a night referred to as the “blood and guts round” for good reason. Follow R-N Sports on social media for up to date results.