By Darrell Wellman
Six Auburn High School student/athletes competed in last weekend’s Class B District 1 Wrestling Meet held at Nebraska City. Half of the Bulldogs earned a trip to this week’s Class B State Wrestling Championships and the team finished seventh out of 12 schools.
Team placings and scores:
1. Nebraska City     222 points
2. Syracuse           174.5
3. Plattsmouth           165
4. Beatrice           150.5
5. Gretna           144.5
6. Norris           54
7. Auburn           48.5
8. Falls City           44
9. Waverly           40
10. Ashland-Greenwood   37
11. Omaha Gross Catholic  22
12. Platteview           11
Coach Oliver’s Comments
Bulldog Coach Mark Oliver said, “A trio of Auburn wrestlers were able to punch their tickets for a  trip to Omaha this week to participate in the State Wrestling Tournament. Dalton Shearer, Nate Moran and Alec Dunn qualified by finishing in the top four in their respective weight classes on Saturday, Feb. 9 in Nebraska City.
“Nate Moran was Auburn’s top placer, finishing third in a very tough weight class. Nate wrestled very well during the tournament, falling only to the number five rated wrestler from Waverly in the semifinals. Nate dug down deep to win in overtime in his consolation final match. That win helps his bracket placement at the state tournament.  
“Alec Dunn had a really tough road to the state tournament. His bracket at districts included the top rated wrestler in the state as well as the number two rated wrestler. Alec lost a narrow one point decision to both of these wrestlers.  He has been off the mat for about four weeks with a knee injury and he showed a lot of grit going head to head with those wrestlers.  
“Dalton Shearer finished fourth in a tough weight class that included four wrestlers who had been rated during the season. Dalton had a tough go on Saturday, but he wrestled well enough to secure his berth in the state tournament. Dalton could make some noise at the state meet if he can hone the edge on his physical conditioning.
“Dakota Groves wrestled a great tournament going 3-2. He made it to the heartbreak round for the third consecutive year and lost a close decision to the Beatrice wrestler.  Dakota finished the season with 29 wins versus 11 losses.  
“Tucker Arban wrestled very well in his first district tournament. Tucker was sick with the influenza all week and decided to gut it out and give it a try. He wrestled his best match of the year in the consolations, but his stamina was not there and he lost. Tucker has a bright future for Auburn with his only being a freshman.  
“Michael Clarke wrestled in his first districts and competed very well. This experience will help him for next year.  
“We were hindered in our effort to put a full team on the mat by academic requirement and injuries, but we will take one half of the kids who competed  at districts to the state tournament. The draws at state for our young men look good. If we wrestle well there is no reason that we cannot bring home three medals.”
Results for Auburn
113 pounds — Michael Clarke (7-12 final record)     
Champ. Round 1 — Clarke received a bye
Quarterfinal - Darin Sornson (Nebraska City) 32-12 won by pin over Michael Clarke (Auburn) in 1:07
Consolation Round 2 — Clarke received a bye
Cons. Round 3 — Chris Coonce (Falls City) 11-9 won by 4-0 decision over Clarke.
132 Pounds— Dalton Shearer (28-6 record), placed 4th and scored 13 team points.
Champ. Round 1 — Shearer won by pin over Trevor Anderson (Plattsmouth) 4-16 in 1:59.
Quarterfinal — Shearer won by pin over Dillon Duffield (Norris) 10-15 in :57.
Semifinal — Jesse Barton (Nebraska City) 37-9 won by 11-8 decision over Shearer.
Cons. Semi — Shearer won by 4-0 decision over Cory Washburn (Ashland-Greenwood) 28-15
3rd Place Match — Dalton Dozier (Syracuse) 31-13 won by 6-2 decision over Shearer.
138 Pounds — Dakota Groves (29-11 record) scored 7 team points.
Champ. Round 1 — Groves won by 11-3 major decision over Andrew Henry (Platteview) 13-18.
Quarterfinal — Jamar Jones (Plattsmouth) 18-11 won by pin over Groves in 1:09.
Cons. Round 2 — Groves won by pin over Cory Schaeffer (Waverly) 3-17 in 3:10.
Cons. Round 3 — Groves won by 7-5 decision over Anthony Rippe (Gretna) 22-25.
Cons. Semi — Chase Nelson (Beatrice) 31-11 won by 6-2 decision over Groves
145 Pounds — Tucker Arban (6-22 final record).
Champ. Round 1 — Ty Snyder (Syracuse) 32-14 won by pin over Arban in 1:03.
Cons. Round 1 — Arban received a bye.
Cons. Round 2 - Tanner Prazan (Platteview) 8-18 won by pin over Arban in 4:19.
195 Pounds — Alec Dunn (16-4 record), placed 4th and scored 12.50 team points.
Champ. Round 1 — Dunn received a bye.
Quarterfinal - Dunn won by tech fall 19-3 over Mike Leger (Plattsmouth) 16-21.
Semifinal — Keyes Nelson (Nebraska City) 34-4 won by 4-3 decision over Dunn.
Cons. Semi — Alec Dunn won by pin over Logan Radik (Gretna) 24-19 in 2:34.
3rd Place Match — Eric Engler (Beatrice) 32-3 won by 4-3 decision over Dunn.
220 Pounds — Nate Moran (28-3 record), placed 3rd and scored 16 team points.
Champ. Round 1 — Moran won by pin over Jared Anderson (Norris) 3-18 in 1:10.
Quarterfinal - Moran won by pin over Kalaen Willms (Platteview) 6-6 in 1:32.
Semifinal — Justin Hennessy (Waverly) 33-8 won by pin over Moran in  5:29.
Cons. Semi — Moran won by 6-1 decision over Clayton Welch (Beatrice) 23-12.
3rd Place Match — Moran won in sudden victory (SV-1 9-7) over Jacob Pierce (Nebraska City) 16-10.