Nebraska’s first girls-only state wrestling tournament makes history
The first-ever girls-only Nebraska state wrestling tournament marked a historic moment in high school sports.
While this newsletter focuses heavily on Nebraska athletics, every so often a topic warrants a detour. We have that for this Friday.
The first-ever girls-only Nebraska state wrestling tournament marked a historic moment in high school sports. The NSAA Wrestling State Championships run Feb. 18-22, with the girls’ events taking place the first two days.
On Tuesday, Feb. 18, more than 5,600 tickets were sold for the CHI Health Center in Omaha — around 4,500 were scanned — highlighting the excitement many expected when the girls and boys championships split. While in its fourth year, splitting the days allowed the girls wrestlers to have the spotlight entirely on them.
Among those competing was Palmyra’s Bettie Chambers, whose wrestling roots run deep. Inspired by her mother, a former wrestler, Chambers has always known the sport was more than just wins and losses.1
“I do the sport because I do it for the pain. I do it for the feeling after the pain is done. I do it for the victories. I do it for the losses,” she told NE Wrestle on Wednesday. “But most of all, I do it out of love, and that's all coming from my mom.”
Chambers' journey to the state finals was built on years of dedication. It was one that went from “only one win in junior high to an undefeated senior campaign,” as KMA Land highlighted in December. And here she was in Omaha this week, winning the Class B 115-pound final with a 7-1 decision.
Chambers summed it up to NE Wrestle: she had six minutes left of her high school career. There was no time to waste.
“Definitely getting in the right headspace mentality and believing that you can do it and that you've already gotten this far,” she said. “It’s my senior this year. Literally six minutes is all I’ve got left, and then I am done, which is crazy . . . I know I can do it. I believe in myself. I have a whole fan club with me.
“I'm really excited for these last six minutes of my high school career.”
Chambers’ story was one of many. Across the two brackets, the tournament showcased fierce competition — and high-level skill — from those on the mat. In Class A, Norfolk edged out Omaha Westside for the team title, with Lincoln East and Lincoln High following closely. In Class B, Yutan claimed the top spot, fending off Columbus Lakeview and Conestoga.
On top of it, participation was up more than ever in 2024-25. That’s no surprise — the tournament had to be split into girls and boys as a result – but the numbers are staggering. According to Nebraska Public Media, participation among girls has risen by 200% in Nebraska since the sport was sanctioned in 2021.
But it wasn’t just the numbers in display. The depth of talent was too, showing just how far this sport has come in such a few years’ time. Despite that, the tournament remained for many more than just the results.
"It feels better when you know, get to come in here with a whole bunch of different energy ... Like positive energy and knowing that when you win or lose your match, you’ve got a whole group of girls that are happy for you and that you can be happy for when they win," Omaha North’s Joshyonna Coppage-Dortch told KETV.
The road ahead is bright for many of these wrestlers, like Coppage-Dortch. She plans to continue wrestling in college.
Others, like Chambers, have already committed to programs that will allow them to take their skills to the next level. Chambers has committed to Doane.
And as Chambers prepared for the final moments of her high school career, she reflected on the mental aspect of the sport.
“Wrestling is all about mentality, of course,” she said. “It took me three years and a summer to figure that out.”
She — like all of those in attendance Tuesday and Wednesday — continue to break down barriers for girls wrestlers in Nebraska. The growth of the sport is because they dared to take the challenge on, bringing their own passion and determination to the mat.
Selfishly (and I’m breaking the fourth wall a bit here) but I’d like to point you toward the 2022 “Wrestle Like a Girl” feature I contributed to for Nebraska Public Media.2 As we reflect on the athletes like Chambers, it’s imperative that we also remember all of the athletes that came before. Reagan Gallaway, for example, was part of that feature. Today she is wrestling for Hastings College.
As I watched the first-ever girls-only Nebraska state wrestling tournament take place Tuesday and Wednesday, I thought of Gallaway. I hope she — and all of the girls and young women involved in NSAA wrestling — feel proud of what they have built.
Highlights from the Tournament:
Bettie Chambers (Palmyra) won the Class B 115-pound final with a 7-1 decision.
Norfolk claimed the Class A team title, edging out Omaha Westside.
Yutan secured the Class B team title with a dominant performance.
Joshyonna Coppage-Dortch (Omaha North) finished third in the 100-pound Class A bracket.
Chelsey Robinson (Omaha North) took third place in the Class A 120-pound division and has committed to Southeast Community College.
Rowyn Wiltgen (Millard South) secured third place in the 155-pound Class A bracket.
Audre Herron (Westview) pinned her way to the 235-pound Class A title.
Evelyn Bryan-Aldrich (Palmyra) won the 235-pound Class B final with a quick pin.
If you want more results — or to follow along with the boys’ tournament — FloWrestling has you covered.
Chambers isn’t just a great wrestler. She’s also a Team Jack champion. After being diagnosed with a brain tumor (a low-grade astrocytoma) in 2018, she went to work getting involved and giving back to Team Jack. It started with a Disney-themed dance she hosted, raising $13,000 for childhood brain cancer research. She has since continued to give back and raise money for Team Jack.
This was part of a long-form show that won an Emmy. Just saying.