2006 CSG WRESTLING RECAP BY CRAIG HELLWEGE

Being forced to go a week later than normal because of a schedule conflict with Waverly High turned out be a real blessing for all. The temps and heat index were extremely high the normal week of the State Games and would of have made the gym at Waverly unbearable for everyone. With the temps and heat index being down some 15 degrees for our weekend along with the Waverly Mat Club bringing in 10 large fans had the gym very comfortable for us both days. Along with the addition of a second gym at Waverly under construction now they are installing air condition for the main gym construction. Please spread the word that the 2007 CSG Wrestling will have cool place to wrestle despite what the temps might be outside. Hopefully knowing the gym will have AC now will help bring our numbers back up some.

Hunter Bamford age 12 of Kearney was nominated the CSG Male Athlete of the Year. Hunter won 5 gold medals while going 14-0 over the two days. Over the last four years Hunter has brought home12 gold medals and 5 silver medals. Hunter is the youngest wrestler to win 5 gold medals and the youngest wrestler to be nominated for CSG Athlete of the Year. Hunter was also named the Bank of the West Outstanding Wrestler for Ages 11-14. This was the first year plaques were awarded for each of the four age groups thanks to Tim Neumann and the Bank of the West. Two other wrestlers who each won 5 gold medals were strongly considered for this honor. One was Zachary Cottle age 15 of Arlington and the other was Bob Murphy age 26 of Omaha. Zachary went 12-1 and has now won six straight Iron Man shirts, a CSG record. Zachary was named OW for Ages 15-18. Bob Murphy went 8-0 and was named OW for Ages 19 and Over. He had a pair of wins over Rob Pilcher of Omaha who was named the 2005 National Male State Games Athlete of the Year. Note Rob won his eighth Iron Man shirt, a CSG record. Note Rob still participated in the State Games despite dislocating his should and breaking his clavicle in a motorcycle accident just three weeks before the games. Last year Rob went 13-0 in the CSG while on his two week leave from a tour of duty in Iraq. He now has the most CSG Wrestling Gold Medals with 23 and the most CSG Wrestling Medals with 40. Both of those records had been held by Marcus Hellwege. The other OW plaque went to Kimmy Harlan age 8 of Omaha for Ages 10 and Under. Kimmy went 9-0 while bringing home 3 gold medals.

Plaques for the BANK OF THE WEST School Pride Awards were awarded for the third straight year. Omaha Burke took home the Class A High School Plaque again. Sunrise MS of Kearney took home the Class A Middle School plaque. The Class B Middle School plaque went to Auburn and Seward won the High School plaque. In Class C Raymond Central repeated as the Middle School champs and Kimball brought home the High School plaque. In Class D Franklin repeated as Middle School champs and Sutton won the High School division. The big battle for plaques came in the High School Division for Class D. Sutton ended up with 54 points while Franklin finished with 48 points. I hated to send Franklin home without a plaque despite scoring far and away more points than the Class A, B, and C High School Plaque winners. Look for some retooling for the School Pride for 2007. A special thanks to Tim Neumann of Valentine for having Bank of the West donate the plaques.

Besides doing some School Pride adjustments I am looking at schedule adjustments to balance the sessions, eliminating the day before weigh-ins, and use 8-man brackets in lieu of the double pools. The double pools did not go over very well to say the least and will never be used again. Wrestling will be back on the main weekend again and I highly recommend attending the Sportfest and Opening Ceremonies on Friday night. Between doing both events at the same night and the X_Games Freestyle Moto-Cross exhibition proved to be a real winner for those attending this year. Best of luck this winter and hope to see everyone back for 23rd State Games.