Clay Keller qualifies for state wrestling

Kimball High's Clay Keller is headed to the Nebraska State Wrestling Tournament! Keller captured second place in the 132 pound weight class at the C-4 District Tournament held at Mitchell with the top four in each weight class advancing to the state tournament competition. Now the young freshman joins a small and elite group of former Kimball High wrestlers with the opportunity to become a four time state qualifier and a possible chance to become a four time state medalist, or four time state champion!

Keller won three of his four matches, losing only in the championship match to run his season record to 27-4. He won by fall in 1:00 over Douglas of Rayenna, won by fall in 1:21 over Scott of Arcadia-Loup City, won 10-8 in overtime over Perrett of Valentine, and lost 16-2 to Bergquist of Southern Valley in the championship match. He went up against the best the district had to offer and showed despite being the number four seed, he deserves to be ranked even higher.

Kimball had all seven of their wrestlers in action at the district tournament but young Keller was the lone state qualifier. Older brother Rowdy closed out his Kimball High career short once again of a state qualifying experience but he and fellow senior Justin Mohr both will be remembered for their efforts and their leadership roles. Rowdy, at 120 pounds, won 8-3 over Miller of Southern Valley, lost 10-6 to Lane of Arcadia-Loup City, won 8-3 over Orcutt of Loomis-Bertrand, and lost by fall in 2:47 to Tafoya of Bridgeport. Mohr at 138 pounds won by fall in 3:50 over Krzyki of Arcadia-Loup City, lost 15-6 to Fearman of Valentine, and lost by fall in 2:32 to Russell of Ravenna.

Garrett Pedersen at 106 lost twice by fall. Logan Stahla, who normally wrestles at 132 pounds, moved up to 145 and also lost twice, as did Cody Kirby at 220 and Eric Escajeda at 285. Pedersen is a freshman as is Kirby whi1e Stahla and Escajeda are sophomores and all show lots of promise for the future.

I dropped in on practice Monday evening to talk with coach Wade Brashear who was on the mats working out with Clay Keller as assistant coach Bob Culek offered up advise from the sideline and brother Rowdy Keller was also on hand to provide competition to his young brother as well. Both coaches spoke highly of how Clay had wrestled at the district tournament against some of the state's best in this weight class.

Brashear said this, "The NSAA Class C-4 District lived up to its billing as one of the toughest districts in the state, all classes. As with any district tournament, there were highs and lows, excitement and disappointment. Our two seniors, Justin Mohr and Rowdy Keller, both ended up short of district placing and a shot to go to state. Rowdy lost to the number one seed from Arcadia-Loup City in a thrilling 3 period match which was one heck of a gutty performance, and maybe one of the best matches Rowdy has wrestled in his career. Both Rowdy and Justin are extremely hard working, dedicated, great student-athletes, and it was may pleasure to coach them through my career at Kimball.

"Our two sophomores, Eric and Logan, both had tough goes at district, but both showed great progress during the year. Logan wrestled two weight classes over his natural weight. Our freshmen, Garrett and Cody, also showed great improvement in their skills over the course of the season and I am looking forward to building our young team."

Brashear went on to say, "Our lone state placer was Clay Keller, who as a freshman, entered the district tournament as the 4th seed. His bracket included two returning state medalists and another returning state qualifier. Clay wrestled well to get to the semi finals where he then upset the number one seeded and state ranked Cameron Perret from Valentine. Clay did not wrestle his best match in the finals, something we look to fix. Heading into the state tournament we can not wrestle content. We need to wrestle like we belong among the best in the state. If we wrestle with that mindset, Clay should have a solid showing in Omaha."

The first round for Class C begins at 4:30 p.m. CST today (Thursday) at the Century Link Center in Omaha and continues on Friday and Saturday.