McGinnis, Cluff Qualify For State

The Kimball Longhorn wrestling team is sending two wrestlers to the NSAA State Championships in Omaha this week – sophomore James McGinnis at 126 pounds and senior Conner Cluff at 132.

McGinnis placed third and Cluff placed fourth at the Class D District 4 tournament in Sutherland on Saturday.

“It was a strange year with us missing a couple of tournaments and many practices due to COVID,” Horns coach Bob Culek told the Observer. “However, the kids continued to work hard and stay focused. We had a good showing at subdistricts with three qualifying for districts and Aaron Gillming wrestling tough but came up just short.

“We again wrestled well at districts with Trey Schindler coming up just short of qualifying in a tough bracket and James and Connor wrestling well and qualifying for the State tournament.

“I’m proud of how the four wrestlers all continued to support each other and work throughout the season and I am excited for this weekend and for next year with Aaron, James, and Trey returning. They have been a great group of kids to work with.”

McGinnis earned third place by defeating Maxwell’s Sam Melton in his final match, and Cluff earned fourth place losing a 9-5 decision against Maxwell’s Mason Tilford. McGinnis has a 14-6 record this season while Cluff is at 21-9.

The NSAA State Tournament will take place at the CTI Center in Omaha, and the Class D wrestlers are scheduled to compete on Thursday, February 18.

At 126 pounds at District, first went to Hunter Kildow of Bayard, second to Chase Gracey of Mullen, third to McGinnis, and fourth to Sam Melton of Maxwell. In the third place match, McGinnis pinned Melton in 56 seconds.

At 132 pounds at District, first went to Kyle Durfee of Mullen, second to Jon Peterka of Sutherland, third to Mason Tilford of Maxwell and fourth to Cluff, who lost a 9-5 decision in the third place match.