Eagles Guaranteed Three Medals At State, Sitting 6th As Team

The O'Neill wrestling team has already secured three medals at the state wrestling tournament with opportunity for more.

Caden Moore, Bailey Thompson and Jason Hahlbeck all advanced to Friday night's semifinals after picking up wins on Thursday night in Omaha. Although Elias Lorenzo and Cauy Shaw lost Thursday, they could still fight back in the consolation bracket and earn medals.

At 145 pounds, Moore's nearly perfect record remains intact thanks to a major decision over Ty Connely of Kearney Catholic and Bryan Richard of Conestoga. The O'Neill junior will wrestle Keegan Pope of Syracuse in the semifinal.

At 220, Hahlbeck had no trouble with his opponents pinning both in the first period as his undefeated record shined brightly. He pinned Collin Smyth of Gibbon in 1:41 before pinning Treyvon Brooks in 1:18. The senior put his perfect record on the line against also undefeated Garrett Davidson of Cross County in the semifinal. 

At 195 pounds, Thompson downed Marce Vasquez 13-1 in the quarterfinal. He pinned Diego Guerrero of Wood River in 1:38 in the opening round. The senior will face Ryan Worm of David City in the semifinal.

At 152 pounds, Cauy Shaw lost a tough 6-2 decision in the quarterfinal against Caleb Long of Valentine. That came after a 2-1 tiebreaker against Levi Kult of Yutan.

At 113, Elias Lorenzo lost to Spencer Gaffney of Broken Bow 9-2 in the opening round. He'll face Gaven Schernikau of Centennial in wrestle backs on Friday. 

2017 NSAA Championships Results for O`Neill
C113 - Elias Lorenzo (14-7) 
    Champ. Round 1 - Spencer Gaffney (Broken Bow) 36-7 won by decision over Elias Lorenzo (O`Neill) 14-7 (Dec 9-2)

C145 - Caden Moore (39-1) 
    Champ. Round 1 - Caden Moore (O`Neill) 39-1 won by major decision over Bryan Richard (Conestoga) 30-15 (MD 14-5)
    Quarterfinal - Caden Moore (O`Neill) 39-1 won by major decision over Ty Connely (Kearney Catholic) 30-6 (MD 15-6)

C152 - Cauy Shaw (30-6) 
    Champ. Round 1 - Cauy Shaw (O`Neill) 30-6 won in tie breaker - 1 over Levi Kult (Yutan) 43-7 (TB-1 2-1)
    Quarterfinal - Caleb Long (Valentine) 31-4 won by decision over Cauy Shaw (O`Neill) 30-6 (Dec 6-2)

C195 - Bailey Thompson (34-4) 
    Champ. Round 1 - Bailey Thompson (O`Neill) 34-4 won by fall over Diego Guerrero (Wood River) 36-17 (Fall 1:38)
    Quarterfinal - Bailey Thompson (O`Neill) 34-4 won by major decision over Marce Vasquez (Bridgeport) 38-3 (MD 13-1)

C220 - Jason Hahlbeck (40-0) 
    Champ. Round 1 - Jason Hahlbeck (O`Neill) 40-0 won by fall over Collin Smyth (Gibbon) 36-8 (Fall 1:41)
    Quarterfinal - Jason Hahlbeck (O`Neill) 40-0 won by fall over Treyvon Brooks (Broken Bow) 41-11 (Fall 1:18)