Kelise Krivohlavek and Brooklyn Ruskamp became the first Arlington High School girls to earn NSAA State Wrestling Championship qualifications Friday as seven Washington County wrestlers competed in Battle Creek overall.
Coach Doug Hart's Eagles finished ninth during the District 1 Tournament, while Ali Dill represented the first-year Fort Calhoun girls wrestling program with a 1-2 tourney showing.
Krivohlavek and Ruskamp, meanwhile, begin state competition 3 p.m. Thursday at the CHI Health Center in Omaha.
2 Eagles earn spots
Hart was pleased with his AHS team's effort in Battle Creek.
“All of the girls wrestled well, honestly,” he said.
Krivohlavek, however, had the most success. The 34-2 125-pounder secured the first-ever Eagles qualification with a 77-second pin of Omaha Bryan's Veronica Gonzalez in the semifinals of her bracket. She later claimed the weight class title by medical forfeit.
“She just goes out and wrestles,” Hart said, complimenting his district champion's double-leg takedowns and half-nelson work.
Ruskamp, meanwhile, secured her state bid with a 2-2 district record. The freshman was fourth at 105 pounds, dropping her third place match to Jazmin Haller of the district champion Norfolk Panthers.
The AHS standout beat both Omaha Northwest's Samantha Barajas-Moreno and Haidyn McKinley of Gibbon by first-period pin, though, advancing to Omaha.
“She just fights,” Hart said, noting how Ruskamp shook off early nerves and competed hard.
Rylie Kyllo, Sofie Lewis, Callee Shearer and Carly Segebart also represented the Eagles in Battle Creek after advancing through the Feb. 2 subdistrict tourney in Omaha. Kyllo and Shearer won a match apiece before they were eliminated from state contention.
Segebart's 26-11 senior season, however, ended with an 0-2 record a districts.
“My heart broke for her,” Hart said, noting the 12th-grader's efforts to recruit girls to the second-year girls wrestling program.
“She's kind of really been the heart and soul of the program,” the coach explained.
1st FCHS season ends
The first Fort Calhoun girls wrestling season ended Friday when Dill was eliminated at 130 pounds.
The first-year wrestler went 1-2 in Battle Creek, finishing a win shy of advancing to the state tournament. She was pinned by unbeaten Omaha Westside wrestler Regan Rosseter and 41-7 Millie Jensen of Millard South, but bested Albion Boone Central's Payton Becker by 2-1 decision.
“(Ali) wrestled very smart, confident and aggressive,” coach Lilly Gossman said. “Very proud of her.”
The 130-pounder finished the season 14-21 overall.
After starting the season with five Pioneers, four — Madi Larrick, Anna Rae Hartline, Tacey Belina and Dill — competed at subdistricts with Dill advancing to districts. Gossman said the wrestlers “learned a lot of lessons” and “improved immensely” during the campaign.
“... their passion toward the sport is impressive,” she added.
Gossman said her favorite part of the Pioneers' first season was watching her athletes transform physically, emotionally and mentally as well as “witnessing their happiness when they succeed.”
NSAA DISTRICT 1 TOURNAMENT
Friday at Battle Creek High School
Top-10 team standings: Norfolk 129.5, Omaha Westside 124, Omaha Westview 65, Omaha Central 62, Beatrice 56, Millard South 56, Boone Central 48.5, Winnebago 43, Arlington 41, Pierce 37. Also: 28, Fort Calhoun 1.
Arlington Results
(Weight: wrestler, tourney record (overall record))
105 pounds: Brooklyn Ruskamp, 2-2 (22-12), state qualifier (fourth place)
110: Rylie Kyllo, 1-2 (20-16)
115: Sofie Lewis, 0-2 (14-19)
125: Kelise Krivohlavek, 3-0 (34-2), state qualifier (first place)
130: Callee Shearer, 1-2 (20-19)
155: Carly Segebart, 0-2 (26-11)
Fort Calhoun Results
130 pounds: Ali Dill, 1-2 (14-21)
