This year, Bulldog wrestling as a whole qualified multiple wrestlers to compete in the state tournament in Omaha.

“It was a good season,” head coach Dale Hall said. “Overall I thought the boys had a great regular season,”

Two major contributors, senior Ryan Fox and junior Jace Kennel placed second and sixth overall. “We placed high in the majority of the tournaments,” Hall said, “and had Ryan Fox on a tear throughout the entire season.”

Fox will be attending college at the Southeast Community College for wrestling next year.

“My season this year was good,” Fox said, “My plan for next year is to work harder.”

This year marks Kennel’s second season in a row that he has come away with a sixth place win at state.

“Jace worked hard this year, I’m sure he’ll be able to do some things in the off season and hopefully move up on the podium next year,” Hall said.

Kennel is excited for another chance at state next year.

“This year was better for me than last year because…I was stronger and healthier throughout the whole year which made me wrestle better,” he said.

Next year, boys wrestling will lose many great wrestlers, including Fox, Peyton Dimmitt, Carter Butterfield and Haedyn Brauer.

“They’ve worked hard. They’ve gotten better each and every year, so it’s going to be tough to replace those guys,” Hall said, “We do have some juniors that will be coming back, and hopefully they’ll be able to be great leaders for us next year.”

Even though the boys had a great season, Hall doesn’t plan to let up on them. He wants to keep pushing hard and place even better in state tournaments next year.

“We just need some of the guys to decide that they want to work a little harder in the wrestling room. If we have high expectations, big goals, then you gotta have a big work ethic to match those goals,” Hall said, “Some of our guys need to make sure both of those are in alignment.”

Girls wrestling also made state qualifiers their very first year in action.

Freshman Jaycee Hampton, sophomore Suubi Alexander and senior Zarah Blaesi made it to state for the first time in North Platte girls’ wrestling.

“I am proud of what [the girls] were able to accomplish during their first season,” Hall said.