The Kearney High Bearcat wrestling team delivered a strong performance over the weekend, finishing in 4th place out of 41 teams representing six states at the Council Bluffs Classic Wrestling Tournament. Competing against some of the toughest opponents in the region, the Bearcats showcased the depth of their lineup, pushing 11 wrestlers into the Gold Bracket.
Jack Sponenburgh Takes Gold
Senior Jack Sponenburgh (113 lbs) was the star of the event, dominating his weight class and claiming the championship title. Sponenburgh, who remains undefeated this season (12-0), secured six wins, including a decisive 20-3 technical fall in the finals over Mathysin Marco of Lincoln East.
Taj Wilson Earns Fifth Place at 165 lbs
Senior Taj Wilson (14-2) continued his stellar season with a fifth-place finish. Wilson showcased his pinning prowess, recording seven victories by fall throughout the tournament. His fifth-place match ended with a hard-fought decision win (12-8) over Sterling Sindelar from Papillion-La Vista, adding 49 points to the Bearcats’ team total.
Top 10 Finishes
Kaden Kowalek (126 lbs), Braxton Robinson (144 lbs) & Xavier Martinez (285 lbs) each placed eighth in their respective brackets, contributing a combined 98 points to the Bearcats’ effort.
John Florell (175 lbs) delivered a solid showing, placing ninth and earning 26.5 team points. His tournament included multiple pins and a dominant 18-6 major decision in the ninth-place match.
Jameson Small (120 lbs) fought his way to a ninth-place finish as well, racking up 26 points. Small’s grit was on display in his final match, where he secured a pin over Ryan Fletcher from Underwood.
Alec Newell (215 lbs) finished in 10th place going 4-4 on the weekend, picking up two falls and scoring 21 team points.
Other Key Performances
Sophomore Zaen Green (132 lbs) finished in 17th place, after doing 2-2 in pool play, he picked up 4 straight wins to finish 6-2 on the weekend. Freshman Jaxon Lewis (106 lbs) impressed with a scrappy performance, placing 22nd and notching multiple pins to contribute 8 points. Senior Sam Nachtigal (157 lbs) finished 13th, while Senior Kaedun Goodman (138 lbs) placed 11th with notable wins along the way, including his 100th career
victory. Junior Kade Abbey (150 lbs) started the tournament off 3-0, earning his way to the gold bracket, where he finished in 16th place. Finally, Senior Kendall Kleen (190 lbs) finished in 24th place, scoring 5 team points.
The Bearcats will be back in action next week in Grand Island, NE for the Flatwater Fracas.
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