Nebraska

Meet Miss Rodeo Nebraska Judges

Published

2 years ago

June 6, 2024

North Platte, Neb. – The Miss Rodeo Nebraska Association is gearing up to kick off the 2024 Miss Rodeo Nebraska pageant which begins Sunday, May 9th and runs through Tuesday, May 12th. This year’s competition will feature three teens, three misses and three judges. This year Miss Rodeo Nebraska is JoSee Saults of Big Springs, Nebraska and Miss Teen Rodeo is Maci Cox of North Platte.

Follow along with the POST throughout the next couple of days to learn more about the competitors and judges. This year judges welcomes Kristina Sigaty of Aberdeen, South Dakota, Codi Miller from southwestern North Dakota and Joni Heinisch of Nebraska. Too learn more about this year’s judges, check out their bios below.

Kristina Sigaty

Kristina Sigaty (Courtesy Photo)

Kristina Sigaty is from Aberdeen, SD. She has been involved in the rodeo queen world since entering her first contest in 2003. Since then, she has been honored to represent South Dakota as the 2006 and 2007 SDHSRA Queen, Jr. Miss Rodeo South Dakota 2008, 2009 South Dakota 4-H Rodeo Ambassador, and Miss Rodeo South Dakota 2013, finishing in the Top 10 at Miss Rodeo America and earning the Wrangler Jacket Award and High Ticket Sales.

Serving as Miss Rodeo South Dakota had a massive impact on her life and career trajectory, and she has remained involved as a board member for Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Inc. to continue to offer those opportunities to today’s cowgirls. Growing up on a family farm, Kristina has also remained heavily involved with agriculture as the merchandising/origination manager at Frederick Farmers Elevator and market analyst with Fiebiger Consulting.

She also serves as a board member for the Bear Creek Roughriders Saddle Club, producing their barrel racing series and coordinating a variety of clinics and programs for club members. In her spare time, she enjoys trail riding, knitting, embroidering, crocheting, reading, and spending time on the lake with her husband Brandon and daughter Kimber.

Codi Miller

Codi Miller was born and raised on a small grain and cattle ranch in southwestern North Dakota. As a child, she attended a one-room schoolhouse and participated in 4-H for 10 years. Her pageant and modeling career started when she was 15 when she competed in the Bahamas at Miss Teen USA as the youngest contestant. She also competed in San Antonio, TX at Miss Collegiate America, plus 6 years in the Miss USA System.

In between beauty pageants, Codi followed in her mother’s footsteps in the rodeo and rodeo queen world. She was the ND High School Rodeo Queen, 2-time State Champion in Pole Bending, and is now the State Director of the high school queens’ contest. Codi was Miss Rodeo North Dakota 2014, and placed Top 10 at Miss Rodeo America. She is currently the National Director of Miss Rodeo North Dakota Pageant Organization, where she has founded a new scholarship program.

Codi enjoys spending her time helping young women in their personal and professional goals. She is a new homeowner and enjoys decorating and remodeling her little home, as well as owning and operating a western upholstery business. Codi believes her time in pageants and rodeo has helped her achieve career goals and building relationships all over the country. She hopes each woman her can see the benefits, win or lose!

Joni Heinisch

Joni, originally from Nebraska, and now making her home in Florida, and former Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2015. Her early years were spent on her family’s working ranch in the Sandhills of Ericson, Nebraska, where she played an active role in raising Angus cattle and American Quarter Horses. In her free time, she loved being outdoors, engaging in activities like 4H, hunting, fishing and traveling to rodeos & pageants.

Shortly after obtaining her nursing degree and working as a full-time nurse she met her husband, Ian Heinisch, a UCF Middleweight, and former All-American Wrestler. shortly after marriage, her life journey took her to the Sunshine State, Florida. Today, Joni co owns a functional medicine practice, treating patients all across the county. Her true passion lies in promoting health and wellness among individuals.

Even though she’s currently immersed in the south Florida lifestyle, Joni’s heart remains rooted in the charm of small-town agriculture, and the outdoor way of living, remaining as active as she can in her family’s ranch in Nebraska. Together with her husband, she cherishes the beauty of Florida’s outdoors, spending quality time exploring its natural wonders.

Joni’s genuine interests include agriculture, preserving the traditions of family ranches, rodeo queen pageants, and advocating for the conversation of the outdoors. Through their ministry, she and Ian share the gospel message on a global scale, a testament to the significant impact of faith in their lives.

Shes wishes good luck too all the contestants in the Miss Rodeo Nebraska pageant

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Nebraska

Athlete of the Week: Creighton Prep boys wrestling’s Zaiyahn Ornelas

Published

4 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Athlete of the Week: Creighton Prep boys wrestling’s Zaiyahn Ornelas

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Creighton Prep senior Zaiyahn Ornelas won his fourth consecutive Nebraska state wrestling title on Saturday.

According to NSAA records, he joins 39 other wrestlers in state history to accomplish the feat.

“It’s a great feeling,” Ornelas said. “It’s a feeling everybody wants.”

The senior ended his career as the 39th four-time state champion in Nebraska history, winning three at Wilber-Clatonia before joining the Jr. Jays.

Ornelas won three Class C state titles at Wilber-Clatonia at 106, 113 and 120 pounds before transferring to Creighton Prep for his senior season, where he competed in Class A at 126 pounds.

“Three state titles there and then just thought I could bump up my competition,” Ornelas said.

“Zaiyahn is one of the cleanest technicians I’ve ever seen. That’s a huge testament to his coaching staff at Wilber,” Fisher added.

Ornelas was one of four Creighton Prep wrestlers to win state titles this season, helping lead the Jr. Jays to the Class A team title. Teammates said his presence in the practice room raised their level of competition.

“I could never slack off just because my competition in the state was easy. I always had to come in this room and get better or else I was going to get beat,” said sophomore Cruzer Dominguez, a two-time Class A state champion at 106 and 120 pounds.

Sophomore Kameron Green, the Class A 144-pound state champion this year, also credited Ornelas for aiding in his development.

“Zaiyahn being a training partner has helped me in tremendous ways,” he said. “When he wrestles, he’s not the nicest or shyest kid, but he’s tenacious and tough.”

The sophomore won his first state title after finishing as a runner-up at 126 pounds as a freshman.

Junior JT Smith, a two-time state champion at 175 and 190 pounds, said the achievement carries weight for the entire team.

“It’s something really special to have a teammate that’s a four-time state champion,” he said. “That’s something everyone wants to be.”

The junior finished the season as a back-to-back state champion after winning a gold medal at 175 pounds as a sophomore.

Fisher said Ornelas’s attitude set the tone from the start.

“He has so many skills and then coming into our room, he’s extremely coachable. Every time he came in here he was humble, ready to work, wanting to get better and that’s why he is as good as he is,” Fisher said.

Ornelas signed to wrestle at the University of Nebraska in November. He said the move to Creighton Prep delivered what he was looking for.

“This is the reason why I came here. I went out to explore, to find the best, and this is the territory that I found. If it wasn’t for these guys — the push — I would have not been there,” Ornelas said.

“It’s hard to believe. That’s kind of what I wanted since the beginning, freshman year,” he said.

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Nebraska

Nebraska Chamber taps former state senator to lead during leadership transition

Published

16 hours ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Nebraska Chamber taps former state senator to lead during leadership transition

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry has selected a former state senator and longtime board member to lead the chamber while it searches for a new president and CEO.

Board of Directors Chair Pat Keenan said Thursday that Matt Williams of Gothenburg agreed to serve as interim president.

ALSO READ: Nebraska Chamber president and CEO resigns after less than a year

“The Board is grateful to Matt for stepping into this role during a very active and productive time for the Nebraska Chamber,” Keenan said. “He has steady leadership, strong relationships and trust from his many years of advocacy for economic development, and decades of experience working with the legislature and state government on tax policy and economic development incentives.”

Matt Williams(NE Chamber)

Williams represented District 36 in the Nebraska Legislature from 2015 to 2023.

The chamber said Williams has had a lifelong career in banking and serves as chairman of Flatwater Bank. He previously served as chair of the Nebraska Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association.

His long involvement with the chamber includes membership on the Board of Directors; he currently serves as director for District 6. In 2025, he was named to the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame.

“The Nebraska Chamber is on rock-solid footing, with the clear vision of the Board, and talented and hard-working staff hitting its stride in legislative policy and advocacy, technology, manufacturing, leadership-development, fund-raising and membership. The success of cutting-edge initiatives like 6 Regions, One Nebraska, the launch of the Go Big Future series, and the strong member engagement across the state demonstrate the success and strength of this organization. I’m excited to lend my support in whatever way I can for the Chamber. I know how strong businesses and communities make for a stronger Nebraska, and I’m glad to be part of that.”

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Nebraska

Maryland men’s basketball silenced late by No. 12 Nebraska, 74-61

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Maryland men’s basketball silenced late by No. 12 Nebraska, 74-61

Maryland men’s basketball has found itself in plenty of close games over the past few weeks. Four of its last five were decided by seven points or less, and the Terps won three of them.

Head coach Buzz Williams had ostensibly found a winning recipe in crunch time. That is, until Wednesday’s clash with No. 12 Nebraska.

Down by five with just over six minutes to play, the key ingredients for a comeback were nowhere to be found. Andre Mills, who had been superb over Maryland’s past few matches, turned the ball over to star forward Pryce Sandfort on an errant pass. Just seconds later, Sandfort splashed a 3-pointer, and Pinnacle Bank Arena went wild.

That sequence was the cap of a 9-0 run and the middle of an 0-of-4 shooting stretch for Maryland. What was largely a competitive contest soon became lopsided, and the Terps fell, 74-61.

Williams used his coach’s challenge just a minute and a half into Wednesday’s contest. The reversed call didn’t result in points right away — the Terps turned it over the very next possession — but it undoubtedly sent a crystal clear, no-nonsense message to the sideline.

And Maryland’s defense was ready for the rowdy away game occasion. The Terps notched just five points in the opening five minutes — two coming on a thunderous Solomon Washington slam — but didn’t allow Nebraska on the scoresheet. In fact, Maryland turned the Cornhuskers over twice in that span, and Guillermo Del Pino rejected a Jamarques Lawrence layup.

Nebraska started the game 0-of-6 from the field before finding the net. Sandfort channeled his shooting prowess, sinking a 3-pointer to give the Cornhuskers their first advantage of the match six-and-a-half minutes in.

Forward Braden Frager was the true catalyst for Nebraska’s sudden surge, logging seven of the team’s first 10 points and operating well in transition. His quick-hit offense didn’t allow Maryland to set up its effective half-court defense.

The Terps’ offense remained relatively cold as the midway point of the half approached. They embarked on a 1-of-8 shooting stretch, with Nebraska consistently switching on Maryland’s perimeter looks and forcing Washington into some perimeter shots.

Interestingly enough, it was Washington and his frontcourt counterpart — Elijah Saunders — that offered the team a surge from beyond the arc. The two combined for four of the squad’s first five 3-pointers — two of Saunders’ makes came in the last five minutes of the half to keep Maryland within striking distance.

The Cornhuskers took a six point advantage into the halftime locker room, up 33-27.

Rienk Mast finally got into a bit of rhythm to open the second half, burying a 3-pointer in an attempt to keep the Terps at bay. But Maryland’s offense wasn’t rattled. It didn’t revert to the same isolation playbook that it has sometimes found itself running; it instead was gritty on the glass and earned multiple second-chance opportunities.

Nebraska was being worn down on defense, and its crowd was becoming less intense. Maryland just needed to establish some prolonged momentum.

But the game remained deadlocked for the ensuing minutes. Andre Mills began to display some of the athletic lane-driving traits he’s exhibited over the past 10 contests. But he also drilled a pair of long-range jumpers, quickly becoming the team’s leading second-half scorer.

As the clock ticked below 10 minutes left with the game decided by just a matter of points, the Terps’ offense hit a stagnant stretch. Coit took four consecutive shots — and made only one — while the team’s ball movement came to a screeching halt.

After Nebraska’s 9-0 run, things didn’t realign on the attack for Maryland. Coit continued to struggle, going 2-of-6 from three in the second half. Mills also missed back-to-back looks, and from there, the result was all but decided.

1. Elijah Saunders’ big day. With Mills struggling in the first half Wednesday, Saunders picked up some of the slack. The 40% 3-point shooter made half of his looks, resulting in a season-high five 3-pointers against the Cornhuskers. That comes just one game after he set his previous season-high of four 3-pointers against Washington.

2. Paint production erased. Maryland’s frontcourt did some damage Wednesday night, but much of it came from deep. The Terps finished with just 14 points in the paint compared to Nebraska’s 26. Despite both teams grabbing seven offensive rebounds, Maryland didn’t make much of the second chance opportunities in the restricted area.

3. More Del Pino minutes. After playing 27 minutes and securing the win with an alley-oop lob against Washington, Del Pino was on the court for 15 minutes Wednesday. Though he finished without any points, he seems to have earned Williams’ trust and continues to operate the floor well from a distribution perspective.

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