Dakota Gress Brings Home Fifth-Place Medal at Nebraska State Wrestling Tournament

High Plains senior wrestler finishes fifth in Class B 125-pound division

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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High Plains senior Dakota Gress placed fifth in the Class B 125-pound division at the Nebraska Girls State Wrestling Tournament. Gress opened with an 11-0 major decision win over Wayne's Ayvree Abler, but lost to state champion Felycia Kerman in an ultimate tiebreaker 6-2. Gress then bounced back with wins over Haylynn Glidden of Sandhills/Thedford and Summerland's Lilly Kester to secure a fifth-place finish.

Why it matters

Dakota Gress's fifth-place finish is the highest result by an area wrestler at the state tournament, highlighting the growth of girls wrestling in Nebraska and the success of the High Plains program.

The details

Gress, a senior at High Plains, competed in the Class B 125-pound division at the Nebraska Girls State Wrestling Tournament. After opening with an 11-0 major decision win, Gress lost to state champion Felycia Kerman in an ultimate tiebreaker 6-2. Gress then won her next two matches, defeating Haylynn Glidden of Sandhills/Thedford in 1:32 and Summerland's Lilly Kester, to claim fifth place.

  • Dakota Gress competed at the Nebraska Girls State Wrestling Tournament on February 25, 2026.

The players

Dakota Gress

A senior wrestler at High Plains High School who placed fifth in the Class B 125-pound division at the 2026 Nebraska Girls State Wrestling Tournament.

Felycia Kerman

The state champion in the Class B 125-pound division at the 2026 Nebraska Girls State Wrestling Tournament.

Haylynn Glidden

A wrestler from Sandhills/Thedford High School who Dakota Gress defeated at the state tournament.

Lilly Kester

A wrestler from Summerland High School who Dakota Gress defeated at the state tournament.

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What they’re saying

“Dakota's fifth-place finish is a great accomplishment and shows the hard work she has put in over the years.”

— Travis Lane, Polk County News reporter (Polk County News)

What’s next

Dakota Gress will graduate from High Plains High School this spring and plans to continue her wrestling career at the collegiate level.

The takeaway

Dakota Gress's success at the Nebraska Girls State Wrestling Tournament highlights the growth of girls wrestling in the state and the strength of the High Plains program. Her fifth-place finish is an impressive achievement that will inspire other young wrestlers in the region.