Cozad's Abby Negley wins back-to-back gold medals
Cozad's Abby Negley makes her final state championship entrance Wednesday night after her named was announcedat the CHI Health Center in Omaha.
Cozad's Abby Negley lifts up Neligh-Oakdale's Baylee Chessmore before returning her to mat for a takedown in the Class B 110-pound state championship match Wednesday at the CHI Health Center in Omaha.
Cozad's Abby Negley holds for a big hug with her father/coach after winning the Class B 110-pound state champion gold medal Wednesday at the CHI Health Center in Omaha.
OMAHA — For the last time, Cozad's Abby Negley laced up her black Rudis wrestling shoes and waited for her name to be called to enter the Class B 110-pound championship match.
A surreal moment that her young freshman self might not have thought was possible.
Battling back from a broken elbow two weeks before districts her freshman year to become a two-time state champion, Negley showed how grit and determination can put you on top of the podium.
A podium that she reached, not once or twice but three times.
The senior made Haymaker girls history as the first-ever back-to-back state champion.
Negley remained calm and collected from the moment the whistle blew in the championship match against Baylee Chessmore of Neligh-Oakdale.
She took a 7-0 lead with a takedown and a nearfall in the first period.
Negley battled to get four more takedown points to lead 11-0 after two rounds.
In the third period, Negley got a takedown to lead 14-0 before Chessmore got an escape.
The gold medal became Negley's after one final takedown secured the victory with a 17-1 tech fall.
In her normal fashion, Negley sprinted over and jumped into the arms of her father/coach, Tim Negley.
But this time, that moment, had a bigger meaning.
"This is a little bit more special because I can now say I beat my dad. He only had one title, and now I have two," she said.
Negley added, "He is definitely my biggest supporter, and having him there always pushing me in practice and coaching me through every match has been really special to me."
Her road to gold was no easy feat but she trusted in her training.
Negley kicked off the tournament with a 21-5 tech fall over Thayer Central's Brianna Schloendorn.
The true test came in the quarterfinal where she faced her first-ever overtime match against Summerland junior Ava Cleveland.
She led 3-1 after the first period before Cleveland got an escape to pull behind 3-2 in the second period.
Negley received two stalling warnings in the third period which awarded Cleveland a point with 12 seconds left.
The 3-3 tie took the wrestlers into overtime.
Trusting in her skill, Negley worked to get a takedown to secure the win 6-3.
The quarterfinal win signified her 150th career win.
"Honestly, I was a little disappointed with how I wrestled," she said. "I wasn't very offensive in that match, but being able to pull off a win in overtime really helped me gain confidence — knowing, even in those close matches, I can still come out on top."
The second test on her journey came in the semifinal against last year's Class B 110-pound champion, Addisyn Darling of Yutan.
Through the first two periods, Negley led 6-1.
Negley got a takedown 30 seconds into the third period before putting Darling on her back for the pin.
"I kind of knew what Addisyn was going to do," Negley said. "I know she loves her throws. I was making sure I was being offensive, you know, you can't throw me if I'm shooting on your legs."
After letting the championship win settle, Negley looked back on what it took to get there.
"I had to make sure I was doing the things I know how to do," she said. "Be dominant, score points, and even if someone else scores, I'm gonna score more."
Negley had high gratitude for the community of Cozad that showed continued support.
"I know I only have two coaches in my corner, but I have coaches everywhere in that school," she said. "They always tell me 'good job,' and give me advice. Being able to bring home two medals for them is amazing."
Not only will she go in the Cozad history books, but also in the Nebraska School Activities Association books.
Negley already held the All-Class and Class A most takedowns in a season with 197 in her sophomore season at Gothenburg in 2023-24.
Now she will hold the Class B most takedowns in a season with 252 in her senior year.
Negley's chart-topping career takedown record of 692 blows the previous All-Class record of 332 out of the water that was held by Beatrice's state champion Morgan Maschmann.
Negley ended her career with a 152-11 record.
