Blair's Dexter Larsen, right, wrestles Schuyler's Gabriel Moyao during a Class B 195 pound match.
There may not be another person at the state tournament more thankful for a season than Dexter Larsen.
The Blair senior has lost as much mat time as he’s logged in his high school career.
“We’re super fortunate that this can even happen right now,” Larsen said Friday after reaching the semifinals. “So (I’m) just taking every opportunity I have and making the most of it.”
After missing his first two seasons with thumb injuries on each hand, it’s not surprising that he’s got an appreciation for the grind.
Larsen, sporting a flowing mullet, is 50-0 and unanimously ranked No. 2 at 195 pounds in Class B. He’s one win from a potential barn-burner championship against fellow unbeaten Lathan Duda of Broken Bow.
And he’s got a secret weapon in his corner.
Four-time state champion Will Schany is back from the University of Virginia for the year and has been a volunteer assistant for the Bears.
“I wouldn’t be the wrestler I am without him,” Larsen said of Schany. “Not just the moves he shows us and all the technique we learn from him, but just being able to wrestle with him and feel different positions. It’s amazing how much it’s helped all of us. Super grateful.”
Blair's Dexter Larsen, left, pulls the leg of Schuyler's Gabriel Moyao during a Class B 195 pound match.
It’s no exaggeration to say Larsen is being mentored by his idol. Larsen dressed as Schany for Halloween a few years ago, sporting a curly wig and football jersey.
And what color was the wig?
“Orange, of course,” Larsen said.
Schany got a good laugh about it Friday, saying he’s just as thankful for the opportunity to coach as Larsen is to learn.
“Sometimes you don’t realize the impression you leave on kids in a younger grade,” Schany said. “That’s what it was all about back then and it’s what it’s all about now. The reason I’m here is because you want to give back to the people that made you successful along your journey.”
He has gotten a quick appreciation for the ups and downs that come when you can’t always control the outcome.
“I want that experience of success for all of them,” Schany said. “It’s easy to be passionate about that.”
After missing a medal by an overtime loss a year ago, Larsen looked every bit the part of title contender Friday.
The Wayne State football commit won his opener with a first-period pin, then controlled a 14-7 decision over Luke Lambert of Ashland-Greenwood.
Larsen gets Grand Island Northwest sophomore Victor Isele, ranked fourth by Huskermat, in Saturday’s semifinal.
Win there and Duda, a returning champion and two-time finalist, could be waiting.
“I think it would be a lot of fun,” Larsen said of the potential final. “My mindset for that one is going to be the same as it is for every other match: Be ready, mentally and physically prepare myself to wrestle as hard as I can for six minutes. I don’t care who it is, I just want to give my all while I’m out there.
“I can’t be mad at the result if i do that.”
2021 Nebraska State Wrestling: Day Three
Aurora's Caden Svoboda, top, wrestles Sidney's Chance Houser during a Class B 106 pound match.
Adams Central's Sam Hemberger, winces in pain as he injures his shoulder just before being pinned by Beatrice's Brock Ostdiek during a Class B 195 pound match.
Omaha Skutt's Adam Kruse, left, and Gothenberg's Abe Mendez, right, wrestle during a Class B 138 pound match.
Wahoo's Isaiah Foster, top, pins Gering's Jordan Shirley during a Class B 113 pound match.
Wahoo's Isaiah Foster, celebrates his pins of Gering's Jordan Shirley during a Class B 113 pound match.
Opening rounds of the during a Class B Nebraska State Wrestling tournament begin with covid restrictions at the CHI HealthCenter on Friday, February 19, 2021.
Blair's Jesse Loges, top, tries to pin Wahoo's Jet Nuckolls during a Class B 106 pound match.
Plattsmouth's Cael Nieslen, left, tries to roll over Lexington's Daven Naylor during a Class B 113 pound match.
Grand Island North West's Victor Isele, standing, tries to escape from Lexington's Fredy Vargas during a Class B 195 pound match.
Ralston's David Hernandez, top, takes down Gothenburg's Ethan Libich during a Class B 285 pound match.
Blair's Dexter Larsen, left, wrestles Schuyler's Gabriel Moyao during a Class B 195 pound match.
Blair's Dexter Larsen, right, wrestles Schuyler's Gabriel Moyao during a Class B 195 pound match.
Blair's Dexter Larsen, left, pulls the leg of Schuyler's Gabriel Moyao during a Class B 195 pound match.
Blair's Jesse Loges, lifts up Scottsbluff's Joey Canseco during a Class B 106 pound match.
Grand Island Northwest's Caleb Alcorta, left, wrestles Blair's Luke Frost during a Class B 113 pound match.
Grand Island North West's Victor Isele, left, tries to escape from Lexington's Fredy Vargas during a Class B 195 pound match.
Beatrice's Nolan Bahnson, left, and Blair's Gabe Gaskill wrestle during a Class B 220 pound match.
Gering's Jordan Shirley, left, takes on Omaha Gross's Cooper Franks during a Class B 113 pound match.
McCook's Reid Steinbeck, right, wrestles Waverly's Trevor Brown during a Class B 285 pound match.
McCook's Reid Steinbeck, lower, wrestles Waverly's Trevor Brown during a Class B 285 pound match.
Hastings's Blake Davis celebrates his pin of Wayne's Martin Carrillo during a Class B 220 pound match.
Boys Town's Jay Ballard, right, wrestles Platteview's Nick Horst during a Class B 182 pound match.
McCook's Alec Langan, top, pins, West Point-Beemer's Joe Rodriquez during a Class B 220 pound match.
Bennington's Cadyn Coyle, left, and Scottsbluff's Joey Canseco wrestle during a Class B 106 pound match.
Gering's Hamed Syed, left, wrestles Elkhorn's Hamed Syed during a Class B 220 pound match.
Nick Rubek
Nick covers high school soccer, wrestling and other sports for The World-Herald.
