2004 CSG WRESTLING RECAP

The 2004 CSG Wrestling Clinic was held Friday afternoon at Waverly High featured Les Sigman, Dustin Tovar, Jason Powell, and Matt Keller. Les, a 2-time Division II Champion at 275 for UNO, and Dustin, a Division II Runnerup at 125 for UNO, worked the first session. Jason, a Division I Champion at 125 for UNL and Matt, a Division I Qualifier at 133 for UNL worked the second session. Those in attendance for the Opening Ceremonies held at Seacrest Field on Friday night were treated to 20 sky divers, singers, dancers, trampoline specials, lighting of the caldron by Russ Hochstein of the Super Bowl Champion Patriots, and a great fireworks show. Doug Denson who now has medaled in wrestling at all 20 Cornhusker State Games gave the Athlete’s Oath at the Opening Ceremonies. That marked the third straight year a wrestler has given the oath. Dan Gable gave the oath in 2002 and Rulon Gardner gave the oath last year. Doug who is the head wrestling coach at Millard South is the only athlete out of all the sports to have won medals in all 20 state games.

Daniel Rodriguez was selected as the 2004 CSG Wrestling Athlete of the Year. Daniel was totally dominating on his way to winning 5 gold medals. Daniel went 15-0 with not one match going the distance. He either pinned or teched every opponent he faced. Daniel also won his fifth straight Iron Man shirt at the Games. Others getting strong consideration for this honor included Jay Sherer of Columbus with 5 golds also, Greg Garcia of Columbus with 4 golds, Trevor Spudich of Omaha with 4 golds, and Trever Dlagnev of Lincoln with 4 golds. The Outstanding Wrestler for 10 and under was Dante’ Rodriguez of Kearney for the second straight year. Dante’ pinned or teched all 9 of his opponents on his way to winning 3 gold medals. Cotton Adams of Scottsbluff with 3 gold medals and a bronze was given strong consideration. Dylan Laughin of Omaha was named the Outstanding Wrestler for 11-14 for winning 4 gold medals. Zachery Cottle of Arlington was given strong consideration for brining home 5 gold medals. Daniel was also the Outstanding Wrestler for 15-18. Jay Sherer, Greg Garcia, and Trevor Spudich were also considered. Jeff Rutledge of Lincoln was named Outstanding Wrestler for 19 and over with 4 golds. Others getting consideration were Andy Reinke of Lincoln with 3 golds and a silver and 43 year old Shane Palmer of Lincoln. Note a total of 38 wrestlers won Iron Man shirts. A new design was created with shirts being given out at the site. That was new for this year, in the past shirts were made after the games and mailed to the winners. Also new for 2004 was giving out medals on an awards stand in the commons area rather than being handed out on the mats.

Plaques for the first School Pride Awards were awarded for the first time this year. There were two divisions, Middle School (Grades 6-8) & High School (Grades 9-12) and four classes, A, B, C, & D based on last year’s NSAA Classification. Points were awarded 3 for a gold medal, 2 for a silver medal, and 1 for a bronze medal. Millard South took home both the Class A plaques. In Class B Seward won the Middle School plaque while Plattsmouth won the High School plaque. In Class C Central City earned the Middle School plaque and Red Cloud/Blue Hill brought home the High School plaque. In Class D Middle School honors went to Howells and Sutton got the High School plaque. A special thanks to Tim Neumann from the Community First Banks for donating the awards. Tim is now living in Valentine working as a financial planner for several banks located in the Sandhills.