GRAND ISLAND – In one of the premier wrestling tournaments in not only the state, but also the region, the Kearney Boys Wrestling program claimed the invite championship over a local rival.
The Bearcats went unbeaten on the first day of action, taking down Columbus 49-18, Lincoln Southeast 57-21, Garden City (KS) 60-17, Blair 39-31, and Smith Center (KS) 70-12. That set up Kearney favorably for Day Two, putting the Bearcats on a collision course for a championship set-up against Grand Island.
To meet the Islanders, Kearney would need to down Lincoln East. The Bearcats did it with ease, winning 51-24. The semifinals would pit Kearney against Waverly, as the Bearcats again responded with a 37-29 win.
The final test was a matchup against the Islanders. Despite a back-and-forth affair, including the Islanders taking three straight matches, the Bearcats would close out to win 47-30.
Both teams will rematch at Kearney High School on Thursday, Dec. 21 at Kearney High School.
Kearney Wrestling celebrates the Flatwater Fracas Tournament win // Courtesy NEBWrestle
Kearney Wrestling celebrates the Flatwater Fracas Tournament win // Courtesy NEBWrestle