Liable, Buss Return To State Meet; Slaymaker Makes First Appearance

​The West Holt wrestling team will be well represented at next week’s state championship meet after three grapplers placed in the top four of their respective weight classes Saturday at the District D1 meet in Neligh.

Senior Jade Buss sealed his third trip to the state tournament after avenging last week’s loss to Elkhorn Valley’s Christian Yaw in the semifinals. 

“It should have been that way the week before,” Buss stated. “But I wasn’t feeling the greatest last week. It felt pretty good to beat him though.”

Buss scored a second-period pin to advance to the 285-pound championship match, where he fell to Weeping Water’s Marcus Cave, 5-2.

“I’d like to make it to finals,” Buss added. “I’ve placed the last two years and I’d like to move up from where I’ve placed before.”

Senior Cole Liable also booked his ticket back to Omaha after finishing third at 138 pounds.

“It’s great and it’s been a fun year,” Liable commented. “I’m really looking forward to it and it’s going to be fun down there. I’m hoping to go down there and get a medal my senior year.”

Husky junior Ben Slaymaker will join the two seniors down in Omaha after taking third at 160.

“It feels great,” Slaymaker spoke on his first state appearance. “It’s what I’ve been aiming for all year. I only missed one day of practice all year and I feel like it really showed.”

Jaegher Ogden (132) and Jordan Moore (285) also competed for West Holt Saturday, but fell in the consolation rounds.

The state tournament begins Thursday with Class D starting at 9:30 a.m.at the CHI Health Center Arena in Omaha.