Garrett Pedersen Kimball High state qualifier

Kimball High sophomore Garrett Pedersen is headed to Omaha and the Nebraska State Wrestling Tournament after placing third at the C-4 District Tournament held at Broken Bow this past weekend! Garrett is Kimball's lone state qualifier but now has the opportunity to become a three time state qualifier and three time state medal winner.

Wrestling in the 106 pound weight class, Garrett drew a bye, then won 12-0 over Treffer of Ravenna, suffered a loss by fall in 1:29 to Ambler of Broken Bow, came back to win 4-2 over Hilliard of Kearney Catholic, and finished 3rd with a pin of Petska of Ord with fall time of 2:59 in the match for the third place medal.

Garrett will take a 15-14 record into the state tournament but has really came on strong here at the tail end of the season. His first match in Omaha will be at 9:30 a.m. Central time today (Thursday) against Brandon Schram of Tekahma Merna who brings a record of 34-7 into the state tournament. State Tournament Wrestling continues through Saturday.

Coach Wade Brashear commented on the District Tournament saying "This C-4 District turned out to be just as tough as was predicted with some awesome match ups and several upsets. For Kimball, it was a good learning experience for our young team and we were able to get one state qualifier as Garrett Pedersen was able to punch his ticket to Omaha with a 3 and 1 performance."

Brashear went on to say "Overall, as a team, we are still young and inexperienced, but showed good progress through the season. We do not lose any wrestlers to graduation, and we are hungry for more wrestling."

In other weight classes, Trevor Ryschon at 113 pounds had a bye, lost by fall to Zinnel of Kearney Catholic, received a bye, won 12-4 over Boyce of Ord, and lost by fall to Gaffney of Broken Bow.

At 152 Toby McManigal lost by fall to Schneider of Bridgeport, and lost by fall to Lech of Ord.

Cody Kirby at 220 won 7-4 over Drake of Broken Bow, lost by fall in 5:07 to Billings of Valentine, drew a bye, and lost by fall in 4:52 to Franklin of Bridgeport.

Eric Escajeda at 285 had a bye, lost by fall to Davis of Broken Bow, drew a bye, and lost by fall to Gasseling of Minden.