The 2021 Class A semifinals got underway just after 9 a.m. Thursday morning at CHI Health Center Omaha. 

Millard South, the prohibitive favorite, is in control of the team race after advancing seven-of-nine wrestlers into the Thursday night finals. Heading into the finals, the Patriots were up to 203 team points, 77.5 ahead of North Platte.

Senior Caleb Coyle won 4-2 in the ultimate tie breaker over Lincoln East junior Kieth Smith. Senior Connor Knopick advanced with a first round pin over Brock Little of North Platte to remain undefeated at 36-0. Sophomore Aiden Robertson came back to win 8-5 over Landon McLaughlin at 132. At 138, sophomore Joel Adams remained unbeaten (42-0) with a technical fall over Grant Kingston of Elkhorn South. 

The two Nebraska commits, Scott Robertson (152) and  Antrell Taylor (160) both used second period pins to advance.  One of the biggest upsets of the tournament happened when senior heavyweight Nolan Olafson used a late takedown in the third period to defeat previously unbeaten and undefeated Omaha Westside senior Cade Haberman. 

Tyler Antoniak (152) won his third place match as did Connor Hoy at 195.

Undefeated Wrestlers Remaining 

There were 12 unbeaten wrestlers heading into the tournament. After the semifinals, nine remain standing heading into the Thursday night finals.

 Two of those nine will leave with a loss. At 152, Papillion-La Vista’s Nick Hamilton (42-0) will face Millard South’s Robertson (47-0). The 160-pound championship will see Joshua Licking (Norfolk) and his 31-0 record take on Millard South’s Taylor (38-0).