“Showing Them the Lights”

YORK-The York News-Times coverage area is loaded with wrestling talent as 10 of the 14 wrestlers selected to the 2022-2023 York News-Times All-Area team are back for the 2023-2024 season.

The season gets underway with all winter sports commencing on Thursday, November 30.

Wyatt Urkoski, SR., High Plains

As a junior High Plains’ Wyatt Urkoski finished up his season with a record of 44-9 and was the Class D State runner-up at 160 pounds. Last season he recorded 27 pins and 71 takedowns while scoring 260.5 points for the Storm. “Wyatt is a guy who doesn’t care about the wins and losses but rather cares about being in the big matches,” said his head coach Martin Phillips last year. “Win or lose, Wyatt is always looking for ways to get better.” Urkoski will be looking to close out his high school career as a four-time state qualifier and get back to the finals.

Seth Erickson, SR., York

York’s Seth Erickson was 36-0 heading into districts and his second place finish earned him a ticket to the Class B State championships at 182 pounds. Erickson was just win away from earning a state medal as over the course of the year he posted wins at the Southern Valley invite, Jim McGrath invite at Ralston, Fillmore Central invite, Norm Manstedt invite, Conference Tournament, and Fairbury invite. “His three losses coming in the district finals and his other two losses at state,” commented York head coach Ryan Johnson at the end of the year. “Seth was one match away from placing at the state tournament.” Erickson recorded 26 pins; 82 takedowns and scored 259.5 points over the course of the season for the Dukes.

Brooks Loosvelt, JR., York

York’s Brooks Loosvelt was one of four York wrestlers to earn a medal at the Nebraska State Wrestling Championships. Loosvelt did it the hard way as he dropped his opening match, but battled with three straight wins to make the medal round to claim sixth place at 160 pounds. Loosvelt racked up a record of 44-12 and earned championships at the Southern Valley invite, Jim McGrath invite at Ralston, and the Fairbury invite. “He was runner up at conference. During the postseason competitions Brooks placed third at districts,” said York head coach Ryan Johnson. “The sophomore had 21 pins, 84 takedowns and he scored 233.5 team points.”

Keagyn Linden, JR., York

As a junior York’s Keagyn Linden started out his state schedule with a 1-1 record, losing a tough 6-5 decision in the quarterfinals. He battled back with two wins to make the medal round and he finished sixth at 195 pounds in Class B. Linden posted a record of 36-13 and earned his way to state in one of the toughest weight classes with a third place at districts. “Keagyn placed at every tournament this season, he was Central Conference Champion, he was third place at the B-3 District Meet in Grand Island at Northwest and sixth place at state in the 195 pound Class B bracket,” said York head coach Ryan Johnson following the end of the 2022-2023 season. He scored 220 team points; he had 28 pins and 61 takedowns. He is a two-time state qualifier and one time state medalist.

Emmitt Dirks, SO., York

Wrestling at 126 pounds, freshman Emmitt Dirks made history when he became the first York freshman to ever medal at the state tournament. “He became the first freshman in York wrestling history to place at the state tournament,” said Duke’s head coach Ryan Johnson. “Emmitt placed at every tournament this season. “He also had a runner up finish at the York invite.” Dirks who completed his first varsity season on the mats with a record of 38-16, won the Southern Valley invite; the Jim McGrath invite at Ralston and was also a conference champion. He finished the year with 17 pins; 64 takedowns’ two major decisions and he scored 198.5 points for the Dukes.

Jackson Turner, SR., Fillmore Central

Fillmore Central’s Jackson Turner gave eventual state champion Conner Wells of Broken Bow all he could handle before losing a 5-4 decision in the semifinals of Class C 182 pounds. Turner went on to win his next two matches; finish off his season with a record of 46-8 and a third place finish. “Jackson is a bull and battler. He doesn’t back down to anything,” commented Fillmore Central head coach Ryan Komenda. “A great kid to have coming back for his senior season.” Turner was also both a Southern Nebraska Conference champion and district champion.

Markey Hinrichs, SR., Fillmore Central

During the Class C state championships, Fillmore Central’s Markey Hinrichs knocked off the No.1 seed at 285 pounds in the quarterfinals and he lost his chance to wrestle for a state title when he was defeated in a (UTB) ultimate tie breaker in the semifinals. The junior bounced back with two wins on Saturday and finished in third place at 285. “Markey had a tremendous state tourney winning three very close matches,” said Fillmore Central head coach Ryan Komenda. “Another talented junior that will be back for his senior season.” Hinrichs was 44-8 and he has a career record of 80-19. He has 59 career takedowns with 34 in 2022-2023.

Devin Nuttelman, SO., Cross County/Osceola

As a freshman, Cross County/Osceola’s Devin Nuttelman rang up 50 wins against just four losses and he made it all the way to the Class C semifinals at 106 pounds, before losing to Zaiyhan Ornelas of Wilber-Clatonia. He came back following that loss to win his next match and finished in fourth place. “Devin had a great freshman campaign,” said Cross County/Osceola head coach Matt Carroll. “Devin is also the highest freshman state medalist in Cross County/Osceola history.” Nuttelman was among the top wrestlers at 106 pounds all year long. He scored 394 team points; scored 35 pins; 77 takedowns and five major decisions.

Jarrett Dodson, SR., Centennial

Centennial’s Jarrett Dodson won his first two matches at state, but lost his bid to make the championship at Class C 145 pounds when he lost a high-scoring match to Boys Town’s Phillip Carstens 13-8. Dodson is a three-time state qualifier and he finished in sixth place his junior season. “He works hard in the weight room and is a great team leader. He led the team in wins, pins and bonus point victories,” said Centennial head coach Phillip Payne. “Jarrett is now a three-time state qualifier.” Dodson was 47-12 his junior season and of those 47 wins, 28 were by pin. He also recorded three major decisions and scored 249.5 points this past year.

Gage Friesen, JR., High Plains

One of the biggest decision for High Plains’ sophomore Gage Friesen was making a massive weight cut to give himself the best opportunity to medal at state. The decision to drop to 126 pounds in Class D paid off as Friesen posted a record of 39-19 and earned himself a sixth place medal. “This year Gage took on a massive weight cut to give himself the best opportunity to be a state medalist and was able to be rewarded for his discipline,” commented High Plains head coach Martin Phillips. “Much like Wyatt (Urkoski), Gage is a guy who simply does everything you ask whether it be in season or off season.” Gage was Crossroads Conference runner-up and a district champion. He scored the Storm 182 points, had 20 pins, 70 takedowns and four major decisions.

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