Nebraska

Wrestling: Team Nebraska Impresses in Fargo in Greco-Roman Behind Finalist Ornelas

Published

2 years ago

July 21, 2024

Wrestling: Team Nebraska Impresses in Fargo in Greco-Roman Behind Finalist Ornelas

After the 16U and Junior Freestyle portion at the Fargo National Championships, we did a big write-up for you outlining the performances of Nebraska’s commit Cade Ziola, some of the possible targets for Nebraska, and some in-state talent that turned some heads.

Between both freestyle age groups, Team Nebraska had a total of seven All-Americans (top-8 finish), led by Ziola making it to the final at 190 pounds and Abdi Unle placing third at 113. Nebraska finished 12th in the team race in the Junior division and 18th as a team in 16U.

The Greco-Roman portion of the tournament took place this weekend with Team Nebraska finishing in 9th-place in the 16U division and 30th in Junior. In total, seven more Nebraska wrestlers finished as All-Americans in the upper-body-only discipline.

Team Nebraska’s phenomenal finish in 16U was led by junior-to-be Zaiyahn Ornelas. A phenomenal high school wrestler who is a two-time undefeated state champion for Wilber-Clatonia in Nebraska’s Class C, Ornelas is very credentialed in Greco. This summer, he won Greco titles at both the USA Wrestling Northern Plains Regional as well as the Southern Plains Regional.

As the 1-seed at 113 pounds this weekend, Ornelas made it to the final by outscoring his first five opponents 34-1. However, Ornelas lost his final bout 14-5. This impressive finish combined with his folkstyle success should get him a lot more attention from college coaches going forward.

The Huskers have a major needs coming up at 141 and 149. I don’t know what weight class Ornelas will end up at in college, but I believe he’ll be a part of Nebraska’s plans.

Three Nebraska wrestlers earned double All-American status this weekend by landing on the podium in both styles — Preston Wagner, Riley Johnson and Cruzer Dominguez.

Out of Fremont, Wagner was really impressive in the 16U division wrestling at 285 pounds. After going 5-2 and finishing fourth in freestyle, he turned in another impressive tournament in Greco, going 6-1 while finishing third.

With his 11-3 record against national competition and his two podium finishes, Wagner certainly set himself up for more recruiting attention. He finished sixth at state in Class A as a sophomore with a 32-9 record.

Nebraska has a trio of heavyweights on the roster but not many with much experience at the Division I level. Wagner could very well be a target for Nebraska in the 2026 class after his performance in Fargo.

Out of Omaha Skutt, Johnson went 5-3 in both freestyle and Greco, finishing in 6th-place in both styles. In Greco, he knocked off the 2-seed JayDen Williams in the quarterfinal round.

A freshman-to-be, Dominguez had a great weekend at his first Fargo, capturing a pair of 7th-place finishes at 106 pounds in the 16U division. In freestyle, he went 7-2. In Greco, he finished with a 5-2 record.

Cruzer Dominguez wins and becomes one of the very few wrestlers in state history to earn Fargo AA before they’ve wrestled in HS. That list is very short!
— Huskermat™ (@Huskermat) July 17, 2024

Facing some of the best in the nation before even entering high school, Dominguez will be a highly sought-after prospect in the class of 2028.

The other All-American from Team Nebraska in the 16U division was JT Smith out of Creighton Prep. A Class A state finalist at 175 pounds as a freshman, Smith was up at 190 in Fargo. In freestyle, he went 4-2 and fell one win short of All-American status. In Greco, he was fairly dominant, going 6-1 for a 3rd-place finish. His only loss was a 9-0 setback against the 1-seed in the semifinal round. In the six matches he won, he outscored his opponents 55-0.

In the Junior division in Greco, Team Nebraska had two All-Americans in Logan Glynn of Millard South and Brayden Canoyer of Waverly.

Going into his senior season, Glynn is uncommitted and could be an option for the Huskers. A two-time Class A state champion, Glynn went 3-2 in freestyle but finished 7-3 in Greco to finish in 6th-place at 157 pounds.

Another senior-to-be, Canoyer is a Class B state champion for Waverly. In freestyle at Fargo, Canoyer went 4-2. In Greco, he finished with a 6-3 record and an 8th-place finish.

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Related Topics:Behind corn fargo Featured finalist front page greco impresses in nation nebraska Nebraska Husker Wrestling ornelas roman team wrestling

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Nebraska

Pinwheels, proclamation: Central Nebraska communities mark Child Abuse Prevention Month

Published

4 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

Pinwheels, proclamation: Central Nebraska communities mark Child Abuse Prevention Month

GRAND ISLAND, KEARNEY, Neb. (KSNB) – Signs and pinwheels appeared around parts of Grand Island as part of Wear Blue Day, an effort to bring attention to child abuse prevention.

The Association for Child Abuse Prevention, along with Bikers Against Child Abuse and other volunteers, painted the town blue on Thursday.

In a Facebook post, the group said each pinwheel represents something bigger than all of them — a reminder of the children in the community who deserve safety, support and a voice.

The group said awareness matters, conversations matter and together they will continue to stand up for children and families impacted by abuse and neglect.

In Kearney, Mayor Jonathan Nikkila read a proclamation honoring the Family Advocacy Network (FAN) for Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Nikkila said FAN is the type of organization that is on the front lines in Kearney that most of us don’t see as much or don’t like to think can happen here.

He said FAN serves adults and children who suffer all kinds of abuse, advocating for and supporting abuse victims as they go through the law enforcement process.

Nikkila said they have an amazing heart for the people who need it the most.

Click HERE for information on child abuse and how to spot abuse or neglect by Nebraska DHHS.

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Nebraska

Nebraska basketball star Braden Frager returning for next season

Published

16 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

Nebraska basketball star Braden Frager returning for next season

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Nebraska

Belmont forward Orme commits to Nebraska

Published

1 day ago

April 9, 2026

Press Room

Belmont forward Orme commits to Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Nebraska received its first commitment from the 2026 transfer portal on Thursday. Belmont forward Sam Orme gave his pledge to the Huskers.

Orme is a 6-foot-9 sophomore that emerged as a top portal target earlier in the week. Orme averaged 12.7 points while shooting 55.9 percent from the floor for the Bruins.

Orme joins Nebraska after the most successful season in program history. The Huskers won 28 games and advanced at the NCAA Tournament for the first time.

Orme’s commitment comes on the same day that Braden Frager, the 2026 Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year, re-signed with the Huskers.

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