Class D
#1 Aquinas Catholic (10-1) vs #8 Cambridge (7-3)
Aquinas Catholic comes down from class C and hasn’t skipped a beat from their Championship run in 2022. With a loaded roster, with 8-9 rated wrestlers, it could be tough to keep up with this team. Cambridge will get the first crack as this team at the state dual tournament. They had an impressive run this year placing top three at nearly every tournament they’ve been to. Look for key match ups at 106, 113, 138, 145, 152. If Cambridge can find some momentum and pull off a couple of these matches they could push Aquinas. At the end of the day, Aquinas is too deep and the upper half of their roster will anchor them down.
#4 Sutherland (5-1) vs #5 Burwell (12-2)
Sutherland is the returning class D champs and bring back a few core pieces to help keep their season up near the top of the totem pole. With ranked wrestlers at 106, 120,126, 138, 170, 182, look for Sutherland to lean on these guys to help win this dual against Burwell. As Burwell brings in a very young team to this tournament, we will see if they can find a way to win big matches at 138 and 182. These matches between #2 Cauy Kohl vs #9 Austin Mayfield and #5 Conner Bryner vs #10 Hagan Hodge will play a big factor in this dual.
#3 Twin Loup (7-1) vs #6 Thayer Central (12-3)
This might be the most complete dual, overall, in the first round in class D. Both teams come in with a full roster and present a great competitor at each weight. Thayer Central is no stranger to the State Dual tournament and will have experience on their side. Thayer Central has wrestled a tough schedule and are battle tested for this dual with Twin Loup. This will be the first appearance for the Twin Loup Wolves since their consolidation. The key for Twin Loup will be to own the middle weight classes 126-170. If Twin Loup can hold their own in these weights they can sneak away to the semifinal round. Don’t count out Thayer Central, as they know the scenery all too well down in Kearney.
#2 Anselmo-Merna (7-0) vs #7 Shelby Rising City (6-0)
Anselmo-Merna has put together a great campaign this year. They’ve placed in the top two at every tournament they’ve been to and have won several quality duels. This is also Anselmo-Merna’s first appearance at the state dual tournament. With a winning record wrestling at every weight except for a few weights, they will be a tough team to bring down in this first round. The Shelby Rising City Huskies make their first appearance in the dual tournament as well. They bring a young team loaded with talent in the upper weights. If they can find a way to get the right match ups in the lower weights they can give Anselmo-Merna a good fight. Look for a great match up at 195 with #1 Sid Miller vs #3 Elijah Fjell and 220 #10 Tate Thorten vs #7 Collin Vrbka. With upsets at these weights Shelby Rising City could flip the script in this dual.