Day one of the NSAA Wrestling Championships is in the books, and most of the consolation action for all classes have concluded on day two. At 5 p.m. is when the action really starts to heat up at the CenturyLink Center when all classes begin semifinals matchups.
It's hard to narrow it down to just a few, because each match is going to be fantastic. The best wrestlers of each district and each class, pitted against one another with the ultimate goal at the end of the tunnel: a first place medal.
But, if you're the casual fan that's heading down to catch some of the action, here's where to start:
Class B126: Korbin Meink (Omaha Skutt) vs. Andrew Nielsen (Plattsmouth)
This semifinal matchup has two, maybe three of the biggest storylines of the weekend wrapped up into one match. Meink is seeking become one of just 26 wrestlers in the history of Nebraska High School Wrestling to win four state championships.
Meink won his first at the 106-pound division as a freshman, the second at the 113-pound division as a sophomore, and won his third in 2016 at the 120-pound division. Four different years, four different weight classes. That's pretty impressive.
To make things even more interesting, Nielsen is a defending state champion himself as he took home the first place medal at the 113-pound division at last year's tournament.
Omaha Skutt will be relying heavily on Meink for points towards its team standings, as the Skyhawks are looking to take home their 19th team state championship in 20 years.
Class A160: Darrell Coleman (Millard North) vs. Conner Willey (Papillion-LaVista South)
Coleman has been a dominant force in Class A at the 160-pound division. Dominant might be an understatement. Coleman hasn't lost since the second round of consolation matches in the 2015 tournament.
Since that time, Coleman has gone 67-0, won a state title in 2016 and is headed to the semifinals tonight seeking another. Willey comes into the match against Coleman with a 39-6 record.
Class D132: Cameron Riggs (North Platte St. Patrick's) vs. Darren Stewart (Elkhorn Valley)
Yet another force to be reckoned with, Riggs has dominated Class D wrestling for three-straight years. As a freshman, Riggs posted a 44-0 record and won a state title at the 113-pound division. Last year, Riggs recorded another undefeated season at 47-0 at 132-pounds and won the state title.
This year (46-0), Riggs is putting his 137-0 record and four-time state championship dream on the line in the semifinals against Stewart. Stewart comes into the match with a 26-6 record.
Riggs also has a younger brother, Brett, who is seeking a state title at the 138-pound division. Brett will face off against undefeated Christian Miller from Plainview high school.
Stay up to date during the semifinals of the 2017 NSAA Wrestling Championships here.
