2006 CSG Wrestling Highlights

Hunter Bamford (12) of Kearney took home 5 Gold Medals from the 2006 CSG Wrestling Tournament. Hunter is the youngest wrestler ever to win 5 Gold Medals at the CSG. He went 14-0 over the two day period. For his efforts he was nominated for the CSG Male Athlete of the year by the wrestling directors. Note that Hunter is the youngest wrestler to be nominated for this award since the nominations were started in 1994. This was the third straight year Hunter earned an Iron Man shirt. He just missed by one point in 2003 from earning a shirt. Hunter also brought home the OW for Ages 11-14. This was the first year actual plaques were awarded. The plaques for all four age divisions were donated by Bank of the West.

The other three plaque winners were: Kimmy Harlan (8) of Omaha was Ages 10 & Under OW. Kimmy went 9-0 and brought home 3 Gold Medals. Zachary Cottle (15) of Arlington was the Ages 15-18 OW. Zachary went 12-1 and brought home 5 Gold Medals. It was his 6th straight Iron Man performance. Bob Murphy (26) was the Ages 19 & Over OW also brought home 5 Gold Medals. Bob won a pair of decisions over Rob Pilcher (26) of Omaha, the 2005 National Male State Games Athlete of the Year. Despite the two setbacks Rob won a record 8th Iron Man Shirt winning 3 Gold Medals and a pair Silver Medals.

Other wrestlers who had outstanding tournaments: Dante Rodriguez (10) of Kearney won 3 Gold Medals plus one Silver Medal. It was Dante’s 5th straight Iron Man performance. Cotton Adams (10) of Scottsbluff won 3 Gold Medals, one Silver Medal plus a Bronze Medal. Justice Bridgeford (11) of Omaha went 12-0 on his way to winning 4 Gold Medals and his brother Alex (15) went 9-0 on his way to 3 Gold Medals. Willie Schwartzkopf (13) of Mitchell won 3 Gold Medals plus a Silver Medal. Barry McEwin (16) of Omaha went 12-0 on his way to winning 4 Gold Medals. Ryan Pohlman (13) of Davey was 10-0 on his way to 3 Gold Medals.