Kester earns gold at Bobcat Invite

Six Bobcat wrestlers finished in the top five of their divisions at the Dec. 19 Summerland Lady Bobcat Invite.

Led by Lenora Kester, who claimed first in the 110-pound class, the Bobcats finished seventh overall, with 48 points.

South Sioux City's squad scored 158.5 points to claim the team trophy, while Winnebago finished in the runner-up spot, scoring 78 points.

Kester opened with a win by fall, over Shantell Mikkelson, of Madison, in 5:20. In round two, Kester won a 10-9 decision over Elizabeth Lucas, of Madison. Kester pinned Kristi Raue, of Bancroft-Rosalie, in 3:47, in round three en route to the gold-medal stand.

Jadyn Hobbs earned a bronze medal in the 145-pound division. She opened with a loss to Norfolk Catholic's Grace Koch, by fall, in :30. In round three, Hobbs pinned Aaliyah Mason, Central City, in 1:58 and in round four, she lost, by fall, to Stephani Salgado, SSC, in 5:13. In the fifth round, Hobbs pinned Malynn Boyles, Ansley Litchfield, in 3:41.

Ammy Arroyo ended fourth in the 190-pound division. She was pinned by Isabella Schmidt, Elgin Public Pope John, in :30, in the opening round. Danielle Carney, Norfolk Catholic, pinned Arroyo in 3:57 and Darian Earth, Winnebago, pinned Arroyo in :01 in the third round. In round five, Arroyo pinned Madison's Jennifer Sanchez in 1:24.

Raina Krebs ended fourth in the 235-pound division. Following a bye, Krebs pinned Wakefield's Megan Walsh in 5:14, which set up a quarterfinal match against Precious DeCora, of Winnebago. She pinned Krebs in 1:16, sending the Summerland sophomore to the consolation bracket. She earned a win by medical forfeit against NC's Quinlyn Kennel and faced SSC's Caitlyn Sohm in the third-place match. Sohm won, by fall, in 2:09.

Emma Petersson finished fifth in the 170-pound class. She lost, by fall, in 5;08 to Rylee Kursave, Arcadia/Loup City, in the first round and dropped an 8-6 decision to Alexis Lind, Elkhorn Valley, in round three.

Jocelyn Ambriz, A-L, pinned Petersson in :50 in the fourth round and in the final round, Kylee Allen, A/LC, pinned Petersson in :53.

In the 105-pound division, Amor Zermeno placed fifth. She lost to Madison's Apple Paw, 14-7, in the opening round and was pinned, in 4:00, by Danika Runnels, Niobrara/Verdigre, in round three.

Madelynn Bohnet, SSC, pinned Zermeno in 1:04 in the fourth round, and Tessa Buller, CC, pinned her in 1:34 in the fifth round.

Ashley Melcher competed in the 120-pound division and opened with a loss, by fall, in 5:32, to Aleigha Ogden, of West Holt. Following a bye in the consolation round, Melcher lost, by fall, in :51, to Maliyah Johnson, CC.