BLAIR, NEBRASKA (2025 February 20, Thursday)
Kendra Powers, Reporter / Photographer
Don Harrold, Editor
editor@blairtoday.com – Facebook
Ali Wheeler never imagined herself here. Yet on Wednesday night, the Blair senior stood on the podium at the CHI Health Center, having just secured fourth place at Nebraska’s first standalone girls’ state wrestling tournament.
“I started wrestling in 8th grade,” Wheeler said. “I never imagined myself being here and placing 4th at state. I love this sport and couldn’t have done it without the support from my coaches, team, family, and friends. I thank God every day for the opportunities that have been put in my path.”
This historic two-day tournament highlighted how far girls’ wrestling has come in Nebraska. With its own stage, separate from the boys’ competition for the first time, the event underscored the depth of talent across the state.
“Every year, the level of girls’ wrestling is better and better,” Blair coach Terry Bellamy said. “By the time our girls get to this level, there are no easy matches. Splitting into two classes has also increased interest in the sport as it is more equitable than trying to be at the top of your game and wrestling flawlessly through a sub-district and a district tournament. Girls and coaches feel the stress, which will also pay dividends as life lessons—enduring and celebrating wins and losses in the face of injury and adversity.”
From Drama to Triumph The tournament began Tuesday at 4 p.m., with Wheeler’s path taking an early dramatic turn. After winning her opening match, she was choked out in her second bout—a scary moment that she quickly recovered from, refocusing on the matches ahead.
Wheeler entered as the No. 6 seed, an accomplishment she took pride in but knew was just the beginning. “Seeing that I was seeded 6th was an accomplishment in the beginning, but I knew I had to try a little harder and focus more to be able to accomplish more.”
Her defining moment came in the consolation semifinals against Waverly’s Mackenzie Olson, a longtime rival. Wheeler won the intense match by decision, 11-7.
“Me and this girl have been wrestling against each other since my sophomore year. I had been beating her all those years until this year—she had gotten really good, and it showed in her matches,” Wheeler said. “With the two matches I had with her, she had beaten me, but being at state brought out a wrestling side of me that I didn’t know I had, and I was able to beat her in our last match of my career. What makes it special to me is not knowing if I was gonna beat her—but I was able to.”
“When I begin to wrestle I just focus on me and the girl on the mat,” she added. “To me it is almost the same, I try to wrestle every match just like it is any other match.”
Wheeler ultimately finished 3-2 at state, falling to Norfolk’s Tiearra Pollard by pin at 2:55 in the third-place match.
Challenges on and off the Mat The physical and mental toll of the season was evident, particularly with weight management leading up to the tournament.
“Food is probably one of my favorite things. I honestly didn’t know how I did it. But for my past years, I remember it being a lot easier to make weight than this year,” Wheeler admitted. “This year was one of the hardest for my weight, and I think it’s because I’m getting older. But keeping my weight down taught me good discipline and made me stronger as a person. It was also a difficult decision because it pushed my sister up a weight class. But I have hope that next year she will take over and dominate.”
When it came time to mentally prepare for matches, Wheeler followed a set routine.
“In between my matches, I think and plan out what I am going to do in my next match. I snack on high-protein snacks just enough to fuel me up. I also like to get suggestions from other people like my family and coaches. I start warming up about 20 minutes before I’m in the hole. I put my AirPods in and listen to music. When I am on deck, I stop listening to music, pray for my match, and warm up.”
Blair’s Other Competitors The Bears’ state contingent also included sophomores Emma Belnog and Reata Malmberg, who each went 1-2:
- Belnog secured a pin over Bellevue East’s Anastacia Jackson at 3:40
- Malmberg earned a fall over Omaha Marian’s Dakota Giwoyna at 2:17
Despite early exits, Coach Bellamy emphasized the importance of every team member’s role.
“I think our non-qualifiers still like that they are an important part of the team and that individuals are only as good as the team helped them develop into,” Bellamy said. “They are encouraged to set goals and get here next year. This team feels like family.”
A Step Forward for Girls’ Wrestling The tournament’s success underscored the statewide growth of girls’ wrestling, though development remains uneven.
“There are some differences regionally but I think it is easier to identify schools that have dedicated programs with dedicated coaches that have a sole purpose of teaching/coaching girls,” Bellamy noted. “Some schools don’t or can’t find the resources to give their girls the attention they deserve.”
The depth of talent impressed everyone. “There aren’t really any weak weight classes here. Some of the best in the state ran from each other and spread the multi-state champions. Getting here is tough,” Bellamy said.
“I really feel like our girls are as well-conditioned as any in the state, and they have done a good job preparing for all expectations throughout the season,” he added. “Diversity is a challenge.”
For Wheeler, the journey may be over, but she leaves a legacy for the next generation.
“Wrestling has given me so much. I never thought I’d be here, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come,” she said.
And in a sport where every second, every point, and every match counts, the next wave of wrestlers is already preparing to take the mat.
