Centennial wrestlers dealt with illness and injuries as well as tough opponents on the mats in a series of duals last week.
The Broncos hosted their annual quadrangular with Bishop Neumann, Neligh-Oakdale and Fillmore Central and went 1-2 with a win over Bishop Neumann.
Coach Phil Payne said CHS had just 10 wrestlers in its varsity lineup. He was pleased with the win over the Cavaliers. Junior Jarrett Dodson got a 5-2 win over Max Lautenschlager, who currently ranked in Class C.
“In less than 24 hours, Jarrett wrestled No. 1 in B, No. 1 in C and No. 4 in C,” Payne said.
The Broncos competed in the Minden Duals Jan. 13 and got a dual win over Franklin. Payne said the competition was tough, with Centennial losing to St. Paul, Cozad and Thayer Central.
“Cozad is for real,” Payne said. “They’re probably one of the top five in Class B.”
Thayer Central is one of the top dual teams in Class C, as is St. Paul, he said.
Overall, Breckin Schoepf finished the week 6-2, and one of his losses could easily have been a win, Payne said.
Against Levi Drueke of Neligh-Oakdale, Schoepf had Drueke on his back. His other loss came to Brock Malcom of Cozad, who is rated in the state, Payne said.
After losing two matches in the quad, Garrison Schernikau came back at Minden and went 5-0, with every match score close to a major decision, Payne said.
The Broncos are scheduled to wrestle at David City Friday, Jan. 20 and host their JV tournament Saturday, Jan. 21.
The Southern Nebraska Conference tournament will be at Centennial Saturday, Jan. 28.
