The Kearney High School wrestling team delivered a strong performance at the 2025 Heartland Athletic Conference tournament, narrowly missing the top spot. Lincoln East edged out Kearney by just half a point, scoring 245.5 to Kearney’s 245.0. The Bearcats showcased their depth with several standout individual performances, including three individual champions.
Individual Highlights
113 – Jack Sponenburgh (1st Place)
Sponenburgh, a dominant force at 27-1 this season, cruised to a conference title. He pinned Ethan Salak of Columbus in the quarterfinals, secured a technical fall in the semifinals, and defeated Lincoln East’s Mathysin Marco 10-5 in the championship match.
126 – Kaden Kowalek (1st Place)
Kowalek powered through his bracket, winning by technical fall in the quarterfinals and decision in the semifinals. He sealed the title with a first-period pin over Grand Island’s Jaxsen Draves.
144 – Kaedun Goodman (1st Place)
Goodman pinned his way to the championship, finishing all three of his matches in under five minutes. In the finals, he dispatched Gavin Pedersen of Grand Island in just 2:30.
Other Podium Finishes
• 106 – Jaxon Lewis (5th Place): Lewis bounced back from a quarterfinal loss to pin his final opponent in 33 seconds.
• 120 – Jameson Small (3rd Place): Small scored multiple pins and a technical fall, capping his day with a third-place victory by pin.
• 132 – Zaen Green (3rd Place): Green used a mix of technical falls and decisions to secure his podium spot.
• 138 – Braxton Robinson (3rd Place): Robinson recorded three pins on his way to a third-place finish.
• 150 – Kade Abbey (5th Place): Abbey showcased resilience, finishing his day with a pin in the fifth-place match.
• 157 – Sam Nachtigal (5th Place): Nachtigal rebounded from narrow semifinal and consolation losses to dominate his fifth-place match.
• 165 – Taj Wilson (2nd Place): Wilson reached the finals but fell to Columbus’s Jaeston Delano in a major decision.
• 175 – John Florell (2nd Place): Florell advanced to the championship before falling to Norfolk’s Tanner Wagner.
• 190 – Kendall Kleen (5th Place): Kleen recorded a pair of wins by fall and a fifth-place decision victory.
• 285 – Xavier Martinez (4th Place): Martinez battled through a competitive heavyweight bracket to secure a fourth-place finish.
Team Effort
The Bearcats’ balanced lineup shone throughout the tournament, with 13 wrestlers scoring team points. Despite falling just short of the team title, Kearney’s performance highlighted their potential as they gear up for the postseason.