Team Preview: Kearney

Head Coach’s Name: Jake Hill
Team: Kearney
2019-2020 dual record (overall, conference):
2019-2020 overall dual record of 17-6. 6-0 in conference. 3 consecutive years Suburban Blue conference champs.
Notable 2019-2020 tournament results:
1st place at the Bolivar Duals. 1st place at the Inaugural GKC Conference Invitational. 2nd place at the George Hoover Invitational. 1st place at the Class 3 District 4 tournament with 11 state qualifiers. 3rd place team finish at the Class 3 State Tournament.
Top Returning Wrestlers
Wrestler’s Name (First & Last) Grade Predicted Weight Previous state results
Eli Ashcroft 11 132/138 1st, 1st
Garrett Deason 12 138/145 4th, 3rd, 3rd
Gage Green 10 113/120 SQ
Daryn Langford 11 160/170 SQ
Ben Locke 12 145/152 6th, SQ
Will Locke 12 152/160 SQ
Zach Olson 11 220
Trenden Rogers 11 120/126
Key Seniors Lost to Graduation
Wrestler’s Name (First & Last) Weight Previous Accomplishments
Coby Aebersold 170 1st, 1st, 2nd
Caden Green 145 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd
Leyton Manley 138 SQ, SQ
Colt Post 195 SQ
Jesus Reuscher 285 SQ
2020-2021 Outlook
Keys to success in the 2020-21 season:
Kearney wrestling has brought home a team trophy 12 out of the past 13 seasons. For that to happen again, we will need to rely heavily on our 8 returning starters. Our dual team will have a number of new faces in it but we should be competitive in the majority of our tough duals.
Concerns about the lineup or challenges for the team this season:
We have lost a lot of state medalists over the past two seasons. We have relied on our light weights and heavy weights to score us team points in duals. This year 106-113 and 182-285 (minus 220) will be manned by wrestlers new or inexperienced in the Varsity lineup.
Please list any impact freshman or transfers
Jak Gist is relatively inexperienced wrestler but an unbelievable athlete. He’s been making headway every day in the practice room with his work ethic and his coachability. He’s at a weight with a couple of upper classmen but could find himself in the Varsity lineup sooner than later. Ethan McMullen and JP Filger will have a chance to man the light weights for us. Both have youth experience and could fill in nicely.
How will the newcomers/transfers help?
We have a number of experienced upper classmen competing to fill in Varsity spots like (12) Joey Perdue, (12) Brennan Cole-Hendricks, (12) Jacob Jackson, (11) Gary Jacobs, (11) Jadon Freestone, and (11) Brock Mills. We have number of experienced sophomores returning as well.
Coach’s quote on overall thoughts about the team:
It’s been a great start to the season so far especially considering it’s during an uncontrollable pandemic. Our team is bought in and putting in the needed work. The know a flood is coming… and they are building their boat a little bit every day to prepare for it!
Coach’s quote on expectations for this year’s team:
Our expectation for this year is to bring home another conference title, district title and state team trophy.

What do you think?

Team Preview: Bolivar

Team Preview: Liberty North