N-O Invite Can Be A Gateway To State Berth

The Neligh-Oakdale Invite is a busy one, no doubt, but it can also be a bit of a preview of state wrestling.

That may sound a bit like hyperbole, but hear me out. Last year, 21 teams went to battle in Neligh for the annual meet, including teams from as far away as Amherst and Franklin. Just a few weeks after the invite, a number of those competitors took to the mat in Omaha for state. By the time the weekend was over, 26 wrestlers that took part in the Neligh-Oakdale invite earned a medal at state. On top of that, a number of wrestlers that sat out in Neligh due to injury medaled at state as well.

This year, the competition was even more intense, with three more teams joining the fray in Neligh. Returning medalists Dillon Stewart, Darren Stewart, Josh McFarland, Cameron Wilkinson and Andrew Herley all lived up to expectations, taking championships in their respective classes. They’ll surely be back at state this year. The question is just who will join them. I’ve got a simple formula for you. Pay attention to the medalists.

In particular, the top three in each class. If that theory holds, that means Shawn Klinetobe can expect a return trip and Adam Miller and Hunter Bennett will join him from Elkhorn Valley. Brock Kester and Jayden Arehart would have a spot in that case as well. That would also mean Tommie Peed and Donaven Nolze would have a spot.

​It wouldn’t surprise me for all of those to punch their ticket at districts, along with a few others. I could see a few more surprise competitors making it. Now we just wait and see.