By Marisa Dawson
The Bennington High School boys varsity wrestling team showcased its depth and dominance at the Badger Duals on Saturday, January 3, finishing with a 4-1 record while tying a school record for the widest margin of victory and nearly setting a new one.
The Class B Badgers overpowered most opponents, including three Class A teams, and led the tournament in pins, technical falls and team points.
Head Coach Alan Pokorny highlighted the team’s collective strength in his post-event recap: “As heartbreaking as that hard fought loss to Lincoln East was, there was so much positive to feel good about in the dual tournament both individually and as a team.”
Dual Results:
– Bennington 84, Omaha Burke 0
The Badgers tied the school record for widest margin of victory in a dual.
– Bennington 53, Elkhorn South 17
Pokorny called it a “Great win over a solid class A dual team.”
– Bennington 58, Omaha Buena Vista 14
“Another solid win over a class A team that is scrappy and has a couple solid kids.”
– Bennington 34, Lincoln East 38
In a tightly contested matchup against a top-5 Class A team, the dual came down to the final bout. “It came down to the very last match with us up by two but we fell short of the win. It was a hard fought battle and something we can grow from.”
– Bennington 83, Ralston 0
The Badgers nearly tied their school record again, missing by one point. “Nearly tied our school record for the widest margin of victory in a dual, we missed it by one point.”
The Badgers boasted impressive individual performances, with every varsity competitor finishing with a winning record, a rare feat Pokorny noted: “Every wrestler that competed in the varsity part of the tournament finished with a winning record. I do not remember a time that this has happened.”
Five wrestlers went undefeated (5-0): Brodee Scobee, Brayden Kreikemeier, Paxton Morgan, Mason Mostek, and Lane Kulhanek (1-0). Another five posted 4-1 records.
Scobee (pictured below) earned Most Outstanding Wrestler honors for the tournament. Pokorny praised his dominance: “Brodee Scobee was voted the most outstanding wrestler of the tournament with his performance. Brodee had 3 first period pins in less than one minute. Then finished it off with a win over the #3 ranked wrestler in class A and a technical fall win over the #2 ranked wrestler in class B.”
In the Ralston dual, “Brodee Scobee had one of his best matches of the year in dominating the previously #2 ranked wrestler in class B with a 19-4 technical fall. Brayden Kreikemeier [pictured below] followed that up with a convincing win by fall over the #4 ranked wrestler in class B.”
Freshman standouts also shone. Paxton Morgan (pictured below and at the top of the page), competing up two weight classes, went 5-0. “Freshman, Paxton Morgan, had a great win over the #5 ranked wrestler according to NEWrestle in class A after Paxton moved up two weight classes to compete there the rest of the season,” Pokorny said. Pokorny added that he “moved up two weight classes from earlier this season and continues to get better every week. Paxton adjusted well to the weight change by going undefeated including a win over a ranked wrestler.”
Another freshman, heavyweight Mason Mostek (pictured below), impressed by going undefeated despite being undersized: “Mason Mostek is another freshman making waves on the team. An undersized 285 pound wrestler went undefeated including getting a pin over the Lincoln East wrestler that was nearly 100 pounds heavier than Mason.”
Finn Williams (4-1) (pictured below) also earned praise: “Another freshman, Finn Williams, started the season as the third string wrestler at 132 and has shown great improvement from the beginning to the season and made the most of his opportunity.”
With strong performances across the lineup, the Bennington Badgers continue to build momentum in the 2025-26 season as a contender in Class B.
Photos By Marisa Dawson
Above: Knox Naughton
Above: Lane Welchert
Above: Kellen Mann
Above: Ty Bouaphakeo
Above: Easton Anderson
