O'Neill Athletes Crowned State Champions

Felycia Kerkman and Grady Welke win state titles in wrestling

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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O'Neill - West Holt Junior Felycia Kerkman and O'Neill Senior Grady Welke have been named KBRX's Stadium Sports Top Dog Athletes of the Week after winning state championships at the Nebraska State Wrestling Tournament in Omaha.

Why it matters

Kerkman and Welke's state title wins are a source of pride for the O'Neill community and highlight the strength of the local wrestling programs. Their achievements demonstrate the dedication and talent of high school athletes in rural Nebraska.

The details

Felycia Kerkman won the Class B 125-pound state championship after finishing as the runner-up last season. She won two close matches to reach the semifinals, then won the title with a 2-1 decision over the #2 seed. Grady Welke won the Class C 215-pound state title in dramatic fashion, scoring a takedown with 6 seconds left in sudden victory overtime to defeat the #2 seed 4-1.

  • Felycia Kerkman and Grady Welke competed at the Nebraska State Wrestling Tournament in Omaha on February 20-22, 2026.

The players

Felycia Kerkman

A junior at O'Neill - West Holt High School who won the Class B 125-pound state wrestling championship.

Grady Welke

A senior at O'Neill High School who won the Class C 215-pound state wrestling championship.

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The takeaway

Kerkman and Welke's state championship wins demonstrate the strength of the wrestling programs in the O'Neill area and the dedication of high school athletes in rural Nebraska to excel at their sport.