NSWCA Boys State Duals Predictions
2/5/26
Boys Class A State Duals Preview
The NSAA State Duals will feature the top 8 dual teams (by NSAA Wild Card Points) throughout the 2025-2026 wrestling season. 2 of the teams that were not in the field last year are making their return to the State Duals – Creighton Prep and Millard South. The remaining 6 teams are traditional powerhouse wrestling programs with great coaches, that do their due diligence and study matchups to get their teams in the best position to win a dual.
Classes A and D start off the weekend in Kearney at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds at 10:30am and the first round matches include: #1 Grand Island (11-0) vs. #8 Millard South (11-5), #5 Omaha Bryan (16-1) vs. #4 Creighton Prep (12-6), #3 Lincoln East (15-5) vs. #6 Columbus (13-7), and #7 Papillion-LaVista (10-5) vs. #2 Kearney (17-2).
I will be looking at teams going straight up with the normal starters in the line up. I cannot count on injuries or weight issues that might keep a varsity wrestler out of the line up. Let’s take a deeper dive into these matchups:
QUARTER FINALS
Grand Island vs. Millard South
These two teams have not wrestled in a dual this year, but they saw each other at the Council Bluffs Classic. At the CB Classic, Pedersen (GI) pinned Gomez (MS), Gates (GI) won 9-0 over Brown (MS), Draves (GI) pinned Friskopp (MS), Danze (MS) teched John (GI), and Scherer (MS) pinned Nelson (GI). Will all of these matches stay the same? Tough to tell because the Council Bluffs Classic was the second weekend of the year. We are going to get to see a 1v2 matchup at 215 between MJ Wash (MS) and Ryan Boehle (GI). My best guess is Grand Island 40-Millard South 27.
Omaha Bryan vs. Creighton Prep
These two Metro Conference foes finished first and second at the conference tournament back in the middle of January. They did not wrestle in a dual against each other, but Prep is the returning NSAA State Tournament Champions. At the Metro Tournament, Thomas-Calloway (OB) pinned Blankenship (CP), Ornelas (CP) pinned Hunt (OB), Akerson (CP) won 4-3 over Sterling (OB), Novero (CP) pinned Aden (OB), Knudsen (CP) pinned Gilbert (OB) and Macias-Sidzyik (CP) pinned Hyche (OB). Creighton Prep is loaded at almost every weight, and it’s going to be tough sledding for the Bears. My best guess is Creighton Prep 62-Omaha Bryan 12.
Lincoln East vs. Columbus
Shockingly enough, these two teams did not wrestle in a dual against each other, but they are very familiar with each other! They did, however, see each other at the Heartland Athletic Conference, Norm Manstedt, and Council Bluffs Classic. This dual is going to be a toss-up, and I feel like it would have 10 different scores if they wrestled 10 times! This one might come down to the healthiest team, and bonus points are for sure going to play a role in who wins this dual as I have it 7-7 on wins. My best guess is Columbus 31-Lincoln East 29.
Kearney vs. Papillion-LaVista
Going straight up, Kearney is not a favorable match up for Papillion-LaVista. Coach Curry is going to have to get creative with his line up and try to sneak some wins out that might not have happened if they wrestled with a normal line up. Kearney did attend the Monarch Tournament last week and beat Papillion by over 100 points, but we all know that duals and tournaments are completely different animals! There are multiple ranked match ups at this dual, specifically at 106, 120, 132, 138, and 190. My best guess is Kearney 49-Papillion-LaVista 12.
FIRST ROUND CONSOLATIONS
Millard South vs. Omaha Bryan – My best guess is Millard South 45-Omaha Bryan 24
Lincoln East vs. Papillion-LaVista – My best guess is Lincoln East 52-Papillion-LaVista 16.
SEMI FINALS
Grand Island vs. Creighton Prep
On paper, it looks like Grand Island’s undefeated season is going to come to an end. The juggernaut that is Creighton Prep doesn’t have many holes in their line ups. I do give Grand Island the nod at 106 and 113, but after that, there aren’t too many easy weights in Prep’s line up to get many more wins. At 165, we could see a 3v4 ranked matchup with Harder (GI) and Novero (CP). If the Islanders take that match as well, they will also be favored at 215 with junior, Ryan Boehle. Other ranked matchups include 1vs2 at 120 pounds, 1v5 at 126, 2v4 at 132 pounds, and 1v3 at 144 pounds!! These light-weight matchups are going to be worth the price of admission! My best guess is Creighton Prep 51-Grand Island 18.
Columbus vs. Kearney
It could be Lincoln East vs. Kearney as well, but for the sake of arguments, let’s say that
Columbus won the coin flip dual in the first round. Kearney is 3-0 this year in duals against Columbus. They won 44-32 at the Flatwater Fracas in December, 47-26 at a dual in Kearney, and 46-24 at the UNK Younes Duals. Kearney is just a tough out for Columbus. No matter what they do with their line up, Kearney is able to match them with their depth. I have the dual ending about the same as the previous results. This dual will feature 8 weight classes of ranked wrestlers for each team! My best guess is Kearney 52-Columbus 28.
5TH PLACE MATCH
Millard South vs. Lincoln East – My best guess is Millard South 37-Lincoln East 36.
3RD PLACE MATCH
Grand Island vs. Columbus- My best guess is Grand Island 36-Columbus 30
1ST PLACE MATCH
Creighton Prep vs. Kearney
This will be the first meeting of the two teams this season. On paper, this does not seem to favor Kearney in many matches. Prep has a #1 or #2 guy at 9 weight classes. Kearney has an extremely tough team that’s going to score a lot of points at the State tournament in a few weeks, but I only predict they win at 2 weight classes – 106 and 215. I know that Kearney will not back down from the challenge, and I know they will be looking forward to the scrap with Prep, but it doesn’t appear that the Bearcats will come out on top of this one. I believe that Creighton Prep wins its first ever State Dual Championship in 2026! My best guess is Creighton Prep 49-Kearney 9.
*The score of this championship dual does not reflect what I think about Kearney’s team. They will be battling with Grand Island for runner-up trophy behind Creighton Prep. It’s just a bad matchup for their team. I hope the Bearcats prove me wrong!*
Boys Class B State Duals Preview
Class B Boys Dual Team Rankings
1. Omaha Skutt
- Bennington
- York
- Syracuse
- Waverly
- Beatrice
- Blair
- Milford
- Plattsmouth
- Northwest
Contenders: Syracuse, Milford, Gretna East, McCook, Hastings, Elkhorn North
*2/5 Ranking based on state duals Bracket
These rankings are based on the State Dual Tournament format and how we expect the matchups to play out. Skutt’s firepower and depth should allow them to advance to the finals, making them the favorite to repeat as champions this year. Bennington has proven throughout the season that they are a strong dual team capable of reaching the finals, setting up what should be a highly competitive championship dual.
Rounding out the top four, we project York and Syracuse to meet in the third-place match. In that dual, we believe York’s depth will be the difference and give them the edge to finish third.
Class C Boys Duals Team Preview
The Road to Kearney
Before we dive into the bracket, a quick tip of the cap to the teams that narrowly missed the top eight on power points. Class C was loaded this year, and several deserving squads were left on the outside looking in.
One team that certainly could’ve made noise is Doniphan-Trumbull High School. They put together a strong season but were hit with injuries in key duals late in the year. Fully healthy, they likely would’ve been a serious threat in Kearney.
Now — let’s get to the matchups.
Quarterfinals
#1 Pierce High School vs #8 Gibbon High School
Gibbon has had a tremendous year and brings a young, improving lineup. The Buffaloes have built a solid foundation, but Pierce’s depth across nearly every weight class is tough to overcome.
Prediction: Pierce advances
#4 Battle Creek High School vs #5 West Holt High School
West Holt has some nice individual pieces and could steal a few swings, but Battle Creek’s résumé and overall balance give them the edge. Too many toss-up matches lean toward the Braves.
Prediction: Battle Creek
#3 David City High School vs #6 Logan View High School
Logan View has some serious firepower late in the lineup, but David City’s depth from top to bottom may be the difference. Lineup decisions — especially availability of key wrestlers like Vodicka and Valentine — could swing this one.
Prediction: David City
#2 St. Paul High School vs #7 Central City High School
One of the more intriguing quarterfinals. Both teams are loaded with quality wrestlers. Health, bonus points, and one swing match could decide it.
Prediction: St. Paul in a tight one
Consolation Outlook
- Gibbon holds a slight edge over West Holt
- Central City matches up well with Logan View
5th–6th Place: Central City’s overall balance helps them fight back for 5th.
Semifinals
St. Paul vs David City
St. Paul’s consistent depth and ability to avoid giving up bonus points should carry them through. Expect a competitive dual early before the Wildcats pull away late.
Prediction: St. Paul to the finals
Pierce vs Battle Creek (Potential Championship-Caliber Match)
This feels like the true title match — just happening a round early.
When these two met two weeks ago, Pierce took it 42–32. Expect another razor-thin battle.
Key swing matches:
- 120: Wragge vs Hoehne (split results recently)
- Schnebel back in the lineup for Battle Creek
- Heavyweight: Kruger vs Heiderman (split pins)
It could very well come down to the final bout.
Gut feeling: Battle Creek by 3
Medal Round Predictions
3rd–4th: Pierce over David City
Championship: Battle Creek vs St. Paul
Two well-balanced teams. But momentum matters this time of year. If Battle Creek gets past Pierce, they may ride that wave all the way.
Final Pick: Battle Creek – State Dual Champions
As always, injuries, illness, and lineup shuffling can change everything in February wrestling. That’s what makes State Duals so fun — and so unpredictable.
Good luck to all eight teams competing in Kearney. It should be a great weekend of Class C wrestling
Class D Boys State Duals Preview
The State Dual Tournament is here once again with Class D looking to bring the fireworks. Burwell, Plainview, Central Valley, Aquinas Catholic, and Weeping Water all find themselves back at the state tournament from a year ago. Burwell, Plainview, and Aquinas look to be the front runners for a State Championship, but key movements and matches are in store to help one of these teams lift the State Championship Trophy in the end.
#1 Burwell vs #8 Ravenna
These two teams are no strangers. Seeing each other week in and week out will definitely bring intensity to this match up. Both with full teams, there should be great match ups at every weight. Look for key matches with 120, 157, 175
#4 Weeping Water vs #5 Plainview
Weeping Water had a nice must win last week to reach the tournament. They are going to need that momentum if they want to keep up with Plainview. The Plainview Pirates are so strong from 106-138 it will be hard for Weeping Water to match them at these weights. Key matches will be at 138 and 113.
#3 Shelby Rising City vs #6 Cambridge
Both teams return to Kearney after missing last season. Shelby Rising City looks to be the team to beat in this match up with their strong lineup in the upper weights. If Shelby Rising City can stop the bleeding in the smaller weights they should come out on top. Cambridge will present a solid wrestler at most of the weight classes. If they can move and win the toss up matches they might be able to advance.Look for key match ups at 138, 157, 215.
#2 Aquinas Catholic vs #7 Central Valley
This will be a classic first round match. Central Valley the runner ups from a year ago and Aquinas Catholic finished 3rd. This dual presents a ton of ranked wrestlers with matches that can go either way. This dual will come down to momentum and who moves their wrestlers into the right slots. Aquinas as of now has the edge filling all the weight classes as Central Valley will give up three forfeits. Key match ups: 120, 126,132, 150, 215.