After losing part of last wrestling season and all of this year’s football season to a persistent knee injury, Dawson Doggett (24-11) had a singular goal for this wrestling season - to qualify for the state tournament.

So when he punched his ticket to wrestle at D195, his goal had been achieved. But his work wasn’t done yet he still had to prepare for his matches in Omaha.

And being the lone qualifier for the Bobcats was a different experience for him.

“It’s a little weird to not have someone to practice with. Most of the time you have your whole team behind you, but here it’s them in the stands,” said Doggett. “It’s a different atmosphere. It’s not all good, but it’s not all bad.”

For the first round of action on Thursday, he drew the top-seeded opponent, Keegan Shuler of Hitchcock County. Despite being outscored 9-0, Doggett never took his foot off the gas and kept striking back against Shuler. But near the end of the third period, Shuler was able to pin Doggett and cause him to drop down into the first round of consolations on Friday morning.

When asked what his plans were following his loss, Doggett said, “I’m ready to go out there and try my hardest and do my best. I gotta be happy no matter what happens.”

Friday’s morning session was full of passionate matches, and Doggett’s was no exception. He faced Cole Vorderstrasse of Thayer Central in the first round of consolation wrestling. Both athletes had to win to remain in the tournament. The match ended after three periods in a tie 6-6, thanks to a late takedown by Vorderstrasse. In the overtime action, Doggett got his two takedown points with nine seconds left to get the win and move onto the second round of consolations.

Facing a familiar opponent in the second round of consolations, Doggett was up against Chase Thomas of Neligh Oakdale. This was the fourth time that these two have squared off on the mat, including the third place match at the D1 district tournament where Doggett finished fourth.

This second consolation match also went into overtime as both boys were trying to keep their chances for a medal alive in the tournament. At the end of regulation, the score was tied 3-3 and the opportunity to stay in action on the line.

As both boys started to tire out with 30 seconds into the first overtime period, Doggett was called for stalling, which awarded a point to Thomas and ended Doggett’s season.

Doggett is looking forward to returning next year for his senior year as a Bobcat wrestler.