SIDNEY, NE — Four wrestlers from Sidney will have the chance to compete for a state championship starting Friday in Omaha.

Austin Munier, Hunter Ahrendt, Brady Robb and Chance Houser left Thursday morning for state. All four qualified for the state championships at the B-4 District tournament in Gering.

In speeches before the team left, the wrestlers told friends and family they're happy for the opportunity to compete at the state championships because, at times, they weren't sure if they would even get to have a season due to COVID-19.

Head coach Beau McConnell said he's proud of the team for continuing to adapt to schedule changes and differences in protocols from previous years.

"I think as a team with these four guys, there's a real good opportunity to bring home some medals, some high medals," McConnell said.

Weigh-ins for Class B begin at 7:30 a.m. CST/6:30 a.m. MST on Friday. Matches get underway at 9:00 a.m. CST/8:00 a.m. MST.

Houser is competing in the 106 lbs weight class and will face Elkhorn North's Tyler Japp in the opening round.

Munier will face Columbus Lakeview's Andon Stenger in the first round of the 120 lbs weight class.

Robb takes on Reid Korth from Wayne in his opening bout in the 182 lbs weight class.

Ahrendt gets his state tournament started in the 195 lbs weight class with a match up against Luke Lambert of Ashland-Greenwood.