The South Loup Bobcats hosted their own wrestling meet on Friday, Jan. 24, at Callaway. It was a great day for the Bobcats as they earned two gold and two bronze medals.

In the 106 lb bracket sophomore Noah Hiatt (11-20), had a tough tournament. In round 1, Hiatt lost by fall to Kamden Robinson from Elm Creek. In round 2, he lost by fall to undefeated Adryck Stewart from Plainview. However, he fought back in round 3, securing a win by fall over Mikah Eiley from Wilcox-Hildreth. Despite his earlier losses, Hiatt’s determination helped him place 3rd overall.

In the 120 lb. weight bracket junior Josiah Coleman (29-10), in Champ. Round 1, won by fall over Dylan Brownell from Sutherland. In the quarterfinals, Coleman faced Scotty Anderson from Sutherland and lost by fall. In the consolation rounds, Coleman battled back, winning by tech fall over Destry Woodward from Broken Bow, JV, and then by medical forfeit over Colby Kessler from Mullen. However, in the Consolation Semifinals, he lost by tech fall to Beau Johnson from Plainview.

In the weight bracket of 138 lbs, senior Dawson Mason (30-3), had an outstanding performance. In round 1, Mason won by fall over Tobias Sward from Sandhills Valley. In the quarterfinals, he won by fall over Jaxson Ward from Plainview. In the semifinals, Mason won by fall over Wyatt Fauss from Twin Loup. He capped off his impressive run in the 1st place match, winning by tech fall over Keston Beavers from Elm Creek, to win the gold medal and score 27.5 team points.

In the 144 lb. weight bracket sophomore Ryan Lords (20-16), had a tough match. In round 1, Lords received a bye. In the quarterfinals, he lost by fall to Brody Patterson from Wilcox-Hildreth. Lords bounced back in the consolation rounds, winning by tech fall over Dalton Mozak from Plainview, and then by fall over Hunter Meyer from Plainview. Unfortunately, in the Consolation Semi, Lords lost by fall to Hunter Meyer from Plainview.

In the weight bracket of 157 lbs, senior CJ Quandt (30-5), had an exceptional run to 1st place. In round 1, Quandt received a bye. In the quarterfinals, he won by fall over Mason Dutro from Overton. In the semifinals, he won by fall over Paxton Bierman from South Loup and capped off his championship victory in the 1st place match, winning by fall over Oran Grint from Twin Loup.

Also in the 157 lb weight bracket junior Paxton Bierman (19-13), had a strong showing despite a tough semifinal. In round 1, Bierman received a bye. In the quarterfinals, he won by fall over Drake Ritner from Wilcox-Hildreth. In the semifinals, he lost by fall to Quandt and in the Consolation Semifinals, Bierman won by fall over Nick Dahl from Axtell.

In the 3rd place match, he won by fall over Andrew Karchner from Brady to win the bronze medal.

“We had a great week, placing 5th as a team with only five scoring wrestlers. We must keep improving in every aspect from mental toughness to techniques,” Head Coach Todd Phelps said.

In the end, South Loup’s wrestlers gave it their all, and their performances reflected the hard work and commitment that’s been put in. The team continues to build momentum as they look ahead to upcoming competitions.