Sidney quintet qualifies for state tournament

Five Sidney wrestlers will be among those competing for spots on the medal stand at the Nebraska State Wrestling Meet Saturday, including three returning medalists from last season.

No wrestler in the state tournament has won more matches this season than Raider Derek Robb, a two-time state champion looking for his third straight title.

Robb, a junior, enters this week's tournament with a 52-0 record and is the defending 152-pound state champion. Robb has lost just one match in his career, which saw him push past the 100-win mark mid-season.

Joining him are sophomore Trey Arellano and junior Kaden Vowers, both who earned medals last year at state. Both Robb and Arellano advance to the state meet as district champions.

Arellano, wrestling at 120 pounds, finished in third last year in the 106-pound bracket. He has lost just three matches this year, behind 49 wins.

The 126-pound Vowers, wrestling in one of the district's toughest weight classes, finished fourth to earn his state tournament berth. He enters the state tournament with a 40-10 record and was fifth last year at state at 113 pounds.

Two first-time state qualifiers, sophomore KC Higer and Paul Houser, a freshman, join the experienced crew in Omaha.

Higer, at 132 pounds, is 37-12 so far this season and finished third at district. Houser was fourth at 106 and is 25-22 overall.

"Paul had the kind of district you hope for," Sidney Coach John Ganser said. "He pulled off an upset in the heartbreak round and that was really big."

Ganser said he thinks if Houser continues to wrestle like he did at district, he could continue to be a surprise.

"I'm excited about our chances with all our kids," Ganser said.

Robb and Arrelano, who fulfilled their top seeds from district, should both remain strong at state, Robb being an obvious favorite.

"And if Trey really locks in and is aggressive, he's got a good chance to make some noise down there," Ganser said.