• Photo Showcase: Nebraska state wrestling, Feb. 16
• Video Below: Sights and sounds from the state wrestling meet

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The way Aaron Studebaker shrugs off his win streak, you’d think it was only a few matches.

Try 84.

It’s been almost two years since the Raymond Central senior has lost. Last year’s state champion at 171, a season that finished with a 43-0 record, Studebaker is back on top of his weight class this year.

He’s 41-0 entering Friday’s semifinals with fourth-ranked Derek Worm of David City after a pair of pins in Thursday’s first two rounds of the state tournament at CenturyLink Center. Studebaker pinned Garrett Sharp of Red Cloud/Blue Hill in the second period in the first round, then needed only 37 seconds to earn a fall over Valentine’s John Graham in the quarterfinals.

“Good first day,” Studebaker said.

Typical Studebaker answer. There’s very little flash when it comes to the way he conducts business on the mat. He at times capitalizes on the mistakes of his opponents more than creating his own.

“He knows a ton of technique,” Raymond Central coach Harold Pester said. “He’s mentally very tough and very sturdy. Very instinctual. As he watches matches, he just gets it.”

And he somehow makes “it” work to his advantage.

“That’s the way I try to train,” Studebaker said of his basic approach. “That’s the way the people that have trained me try to do it. I’m not good at throwing or the big move stuff.”

So what is he good at?

“I take people down and think of how I can pin them after getting a lead,” Studebaker said, “and then you finish.”

Studebaker is the only wrestler to beat Blair’s Will Schany — the top-ranked wrestler and Class B champion in 2011 at 171.

He also owns a dominating win over second-ranked Dillon Bates of Wilber-Clatonia at the Nebraska Capitol Conference tournament in January. The two were slated to wrestle again in last weekend’s district final, but Bates injury-defaulted out of the match.

After a pair of wins Thursday, Studebaker’s career record is 159-12.

“I think he’s experienced about anything you can on the mat,” Pester said. “And he’s willing to put in extra time and work.”

A second state title would give him back-to-back 43-0 seasons. Studebaker said he plans to walk-on at Nebraska next year.

“And try not to get hurt,” he said.

But for now, a third trip to the finals is first and foremost on the mind.

“I haven’t thought much about this being the last time,” he said. “Maybe I will next week.”

Contact the writer:

402-850-0781, nickrubek@gmail.com
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• Video: Sights and sounds from the state wrestling meet: