Area Athletes Bring Home Medals

Wilber-Clatonia sees history made with back-to-back champion in 39 years.The Wilber-Clatonia Wolverines sent six to state this year with that being Jordan Marsh, Keith Kvasnicka, Zaiyahn Ornelas, Grant Eschiti, Iverson Mejia, and Lane Vesely.For Lane Vesely, the senior had some strong efforts given but was unable grab a win at State as he would lose by pin-fall and a 2-5 decision as his season ended with a record of (30-15). Jordan Marsh had a slow start to the tournament as the senior lost 0-5 in the first round, came back with a fighting 4-2 victory, but would lose a decision of 0-5 bringing his season to an end with a record of (38-14).Keith Kvasnicka would qualify his second time for State as the senior would suffer a first round pin-fall loss, but was able to grab two straight pin-fall victories before his season would come to an end with a 2-5 decision as his record finished with (37-10). Grant Eschiti as a sophomore had his second year in a row at state and had another solid outing. Eschiti would snag a first round pin-fall victory, but lose by pin-fall in the quarterfinals.He would grab another pin-fall victory before falling to a 0-3 decision bringing his season to a finish with a record of (33-7). Iverson Mejia had an outstanding run as the Junior qualified for his third straight year of state wrestling. His first go around he had an early exit his freshman year, but was able to grab victory before being eliminated. His sophomore year he was able to place fourth and have a stronger showing. His junior year was a great run that came up just short as he would finish runner-up in the Class C 138-division. Mejia looked focused as he made quick work with a pin-fall victory under a minute in the first round. Another pin-fall victory in the quarterfinals, and a hard fought 5-3 decision in the semi-finals set up the championship match.Despite a good effort, Mejia would lose by tech fall 8-24 to end his season. Though down from the loss, Mejia and his coaches James Bates and Paul Havel were able to speak on the season.Mejia, if anything else has already learned and itching for the next season to start as he spoke on the loss saying, “I just got to keep pushing the pace, continue working and keep getting better. Let people know I can hang with anybody, and even more make sure they won’t forget that.”For W-C Head Wrestling Coach James Bates, he knows the work that Iverson is willing and going to put in for the next coming season saying, “Our plan is for him to be at the top of the podium, it was this year as well, but we’re going to go put in the work and we’re going to be back.”For Coach Havel, the leaps and bounds made by Iverson haven’t gone unnoticed and will only continue to grow as he said, “He’s got a lot of heart, and that will be him on top of the podium next year. Learning all he has from this and learning to work from what he’ll go through this summer will pay off great next season.” There was history made for Wilber-Clatonia though on what has been an impressive run by one particular wrestler with that being Zaiyahn Ornelas. The previous year as freshman Zaiyahn would go on to become the 106-class C champion and broke the nine year dry spell for the Wolverines. Fighting through an early season injury had Ornelas missing some of the first few weeks but left no rust on him at all. Undefeated for the last two years and headed into state.He would dominate without seemingly breaking a sweat grabbing a pin-fall victory in the first round and in the quarterfinals looking poised to make it two straight. A tougher battle in the semi-finals, but a shutout victory 5-0 decision put Zaiyahn back in the finals to make history.As cool, calm, and collect as he’s been from the beginning of the season to the end, a great match would end with Zaiyahn Ornelas getting the 8-2 decision as he would become the Class C 113-pound division champion. With that victory, it’s Ornelas joins the two men of Tim Ryan and his assistant coach Paul Havel as the only back to back champions in Wilber-Clatonia history.The last time that had happened for Wilber-Clatonia was Paul Havel going back to back in 1984 and 1985. When speaking on the victory, his heritage, and the support he’s got thus far. Zaiyahn knows the hard work he puts in can’t be without some help along the way as there’s still much to be done as he said, “It feels good you know? To know I put myself in the history and you’ll be seeing more coming for Wilber-Clatonia. First thing I need to do, is I got to thank god for putting me here, my parents for supporting me. Keeping my meals great.“Yeah, I got to thank my dad, he pushes me to my limits, and even times when I’m hurting he helped find a way to push my limits to get stronger you know. Also my brother, Kain Ornelas, he’s a really good brother, always there for me and we’re always grinding down their in the basement. I appreciate all the help I’ve got along the way. For what’s next, is getting back to the off-season, compete in more national tournaments, keep winning and comeback here to do it again.”When both coach Bates and Havel were informed about the victory and quick history lesson about the previous back to back champion and expectations for Zaiyahn, there seemed to be no doubt in the minds as coach Bates spoke first, “I’ll tell you what, Havel will be very modest about it, but Z has got two things to thank for his success. First off it’s Z because he work’s his butt off and also coach Havel since he’s works his butt off to coach him, have him prepared for each match. It means a lot to our community, to our wrestling program, Zaiyahn is a leader of our program, and just sets a very high bar for people to follow.”For coach Havel, speaking on Zaiyahn’s poise in each match, his work ethic is unmatched as he said, “All this success comes from that work ethic, he’s got such a great worth ethic. Out of competition, his commitment to the sport in the off-season, wrestling all over the country, nationals, regionals, and Fargo for freestyle and Greco. I mean, he’s so confident because there’s not a situation that he hasn’t been in.”When it came to what’s next, both coaches shared the same thought as they said, “We start Monday, open up the weight room and go from there as we expect to him to be on top of the podium as champion again.”Fairbury Brings Home HardwareThe Fairbury Jeffs sent the quartet of Riley Arner, Konrad Kuzelka, Addison Marschman, and Dalton Vanlaningham.For Addison Marschman in her first time at state, a pin was secured in her first round match, but in a great battle in the quarterfinals would lose 2-5 by decision.Marschman’s season would come to an end losing by fall in the consolation semifinals match as her record stands with a strong (27-17). Dalton Vanlaningham was able to qualify for the second year in a row, but unfortunately despite some great effort shown was unable to grab a win at state losing a 3-7 decision and then a 2-10 decision.Vanlaningham ends his season with a record of (36-23).Konrad Kuzelka’s first trip to State was a great learning experience as he would lose the first round match 3-11 by decision, but bounced back winning a great match that ended with a 9-7 decision before his season came to an end in a close 1-2 decision in the consolation semifinals.Kuzelka ends his year with a record of (40-14).For Riley Arner, the Senior was the lone Jeff to bring some hardware back. Arner started off the tournament with a 3-0 decision, and would do the same for the quarterfinals by winning a 3-0 decision again.However in the semifinals Arner would suffer his first loss by pin-fall, in the consolation semifinals would lose by pin fall again, and was tech-falled in the 5th place match as that match ended 4-19.Despite the losses Arner can hold his head high as he placed sixth in the Class B 165-division and finished his year with a record of (41-19).Tri County has solid showing at StateThe Tri County Trojans brought a quartet of their own with Henry Holtmeier, Cole Spahr, Cooper Stokebrand, and Cael Washburn.The freshman Henry Holtmeier was able to qualify for state his first year, but would go without a win as he lost his first match by pinfall and then by tech-fall 0-15 bringing his season to an end with a record of (21-21).Cole Spahr qualified for State for the second year in a row. Spahr had a battle in the first round coming up just short losing by sudden victory 6-8. Spahr showed great bounce back as he would go on to win by fall, and then by major decision 14-5 before losing 0-9 in the consolation semifinals. With that loss and his season coming to an end Spahr finished the year with a record of (48-5).Cooper Stokebrand had also made it two years in a row to qualify for State. His first round started off with a good win of a 7-2 decision but would lose in the quarterfinals 5-7.Stokebrand would bounce back with another victory by way of a 7-3 decision, but had his season come to an end with a pin-fall loss as he finished his year with a record of (43-10).The senior Cael Washburn had become a two time qualifier, and came away with a pair of wins. Washburn lost his first round match by pin-fall, but would be able to get on track winning by pin-fall and then come away with a 2-1 victory before losing by pin-fall as his season came to an end with a record of (43-14). CONTINUED TO NEXT PAGE

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