Skip to main content Skip to main content

You are the owner of this article.

Edit Article Add New Article

You have permission to edit this article.

Edit

Log In
Subscribe

Guest
Logout

Read Today's E-edition

News
Obituaries
Opinion
Sports
Lifestyles
Contests
Brand Ave. Studios

Print Edition
Buy & Sell
Customer Service
Gift Subscription
Weather: Live radar

Facebook
Twitter

© 2026 Lee Enterprises

Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

Read Today's E-edition

Subscribe

Log In

Welcome, Guest
- My Subscription
  
  Help Center
- My Account
- Dashboard
- Profile
- Saved items
- Logout

E-edition
News
Obituaries
Opinion
Sports
Lifestyles
Puzzmo
Puzzles
Public Notices
Jobs
Platte Valley Auto

65° Fair

Share This

Facebook
Twitter
Bluesky
WhatsApp
SMS
Email

Ashley Najera makes Lexington history as first-ever girls state wrestling champ

Share this

Facebook
Twitter
Bluesky
WhatsApp
SMS
Email
Print
Save

Javascript is required to use this website.

Top Story Breaking Spotlight

STATE WRESTLING

Ashley Najera makes Lexington history as first-ever girls state wrestling champ

Jessica Kennedy
Feb 20, 2026
Feb 20, 2026
0

1 of 4

Ashley Najera

With the crowd yelling behind her, senior Ashley Najera celebrates as her hand is raised after winning Lexington girls first-ever state champion title Wednesday night in the Class A State Championships at the CHI Health Center in Omaha.

Jessica Kennedy, Lexington Clipper-Herald

Ashley Najera quarterfinal win

Lexington's Ashley Najera lets out a cry in celebration knowing she will become a state medalist after winning the quarterfinal match Tuesday at the CHI Health Center in Omaha.

Jessica Kennedy, Lexington Clipper-Herald

Ashley Najera

Lexington head coach Art Banderas comforts an emotional Ashley Najera after the Minutemaid senior won the school's first-ever state champion title Wednesday night in Omaha.

Jessica Kennedy, Lexington Clipper-Herald

Ashley Najera

Lexington's Ashley Najera shows off her flexibility with the infamous "AJ Ferrari splits" after the senior won the Class A 235-pound state championship gold medal Wednesday at the CHI Health Center in Omaha.

Jessica Kennedy, Lexington Clipper-Herald

Facebook
Twitter
Bluesky
WhatsApp
SMS
Email
Print
Save

Jessica Kennedy

OMAHA — From sporting a basketball jersey her freshman year to standing on top of the Class A State Championship podium as a senior, Ashley Najera etched her name into the Lexington Minutemaid history books after winning the school's first state championship title.

kAmxE H2D 2 G:4E@CJ D96 6>@E:@?2==J 4=2:>65 7@C 96C QA6@A=6]Qk^Am

kAm}2;6C2 D2:5 E96 DFAA@CE @7 96C E@H? AFD965 96C E@ H:?]k^Am

kAmQtG6CJ@?6 ]]] 6G6CJ@?6 :? E96 E@H? 92D 366? E6IE:?8 >6[Q D96 D2:5] QxV> ;FDE D@ 8=25 — E92?< J@F E@ 6G6CJ@?6PQk^Am

kAm{62G:?8 369:?5 2 =6824J[ 8@:?8 F?56762E65 :? 96C 7:?2= D62D@?[ }2;6C2 D6=7=6DD=J 4@?E:?F65 E@ 4=2:> 96C E:E=6 7@C 96C 4@>>F?:EJ]k^Am

People are also reading…

Gothenburg family forever grateful that firefighters saved their home
Lexington girls tennis wins North Platte doubles invite
2 Cozad youth wrestlers bring home NEUSAW state champion titles
Missoula Children's Theater brings 'Hansel and Gretel' to Lexington
Cozad's Chayden Hoffmaster breaks his own long jump school record at UNK
Dancing with the Stars
Farmers and ranchers in the east come together to help the west after devasting fires
Minutemen jump out to 2-0 start after defeating Pius X Friday
North Platte High students sent home after police report 'active bomb threat'
BOYS SOCCER: Minutemen fall short against Gretna
Maids lose to Omaha Gross, Scotus Catholic
Inside Jessie Buckley’s journey from 'The Bride!' to 'Hamnet'
Candidates file to run in Dawson County elections
Minutemaid soccer opens season with 10-0 win over Auburn
U.S. Labor Department announces $1.67M training grant to help laid-off Tyson workers

kAmQxE 766=D 2>2K:?8 ]]] ;FDE 7@C >J A6@A=6[Q D96 D2:5] Qx =@G6 E96> D@ >F49] %96J 56D6CG6 :E]Qk^Am

kAm(:E9 92AAJ E62CD C@==:?8 5@H? 96C 7246 2?5 96C 4C@H5 369:?5 96C 46=63C2E:?8[ D96 D2:5[ Q%96JVC6 2=H2JD 4966C:?8 >6 @? 2?5 >J E62>>2E6D] %96JVC6 ;FDE E96 36DE]Qk^Am

kAm{6I:?8E@? 9625 4@249 pCE q2?56C2D 82G6 6>@E:@?2= AC2:D6 E@ }2;6C2]k^Am

kAmQxV> D@ 92AAJ 7@C pD9=6J] $96 AFE :? E96 H@C<[Q 96 D2:5] Q$96 925 366? >6?E2==J 7@4FD65 2== D62D@?]Qk^Am

kAmq2?56C2D 25565[ Qp =@E @7 A6@A=6 :? E92E C@@> W{6I:?8E@? HC6DE=:?8X 92G6 4@?EC:3FE65 E@ E9:D[ E@ E96 4F=EFC6[ 2?5 4@?EC:3FE65 E@ E96 C6D:=:6?46[ 8C:E 2?5 92C5 H@C< E92E 8@6D :? E92E C@@>]k^Am

kAmQpD9=6J 86ED 2== @7 E96 AC2:D6 2D D96 D9@F=5 E@52J[ 3FE :E E@@< 2 H9@=6 3F?49 @7 A6@A=6 369:?5 96C — 96C E62>>2E6D[ 2?5 :E E@@< E96 4@>>F?:EJ @7 {6I:?8E@? E@ 36 96C6[ 4966C:?8 96C @?]Qk^Am

k9bmy@FC?6J E@ E96 E@Ak^9bm

kAm}2;6C2 H2D D66565 2E E96 E@A @7 E96 abd\A@F?5 3C24<6E[ H96C6 D96 72465 vC2?5 xD=2?5 D6?:@C r92?J2 +2G2=2 %F6D52J 27E6C?@@?]k^Am

kAm$96 BF:4<=J 8@E E@ H@C<[ A:??:?8 +2G2=2 bc D64@?5D :?E@ E96 @A6?:?8\C@F?5 >2E49]k^Am

kAmx? E96 BF2CE6C7:?2=[ }2;6C2 E@@< E@ E96 >2E 282:?DE ce\` ~>292 qF6?2 ':DE2 ;F?:@C $2?5C2 %2<2C2]k^Am

kAmp7E6C 2 D4@C6=6DD 7:CDE A6C:@5[ }2;6C2 8@E 2 E2<65@H? =2E6 :? E96 D64@?5 A6C:@5 E@ =625 b\_ 367@C6 36:?8 2H2C565 2 A6?2=EJ A@:?E 27E6C %2<2C2 H2D 42==65 7@C DE2==:?8 EH:46]k^Am

kAm}2;6C2 8@E 2 E2<65@H? b_ D64@?5D :?E@ E96 E9:C5 A6C:@5 E@ =625 f\_[ 3FE %2<2C2 6D42A65]k^Am

kAm(:E9 F?56C 2 >:?FE6 =67E[ }2;6C2 H6?E FA `_\` 27E6C 2 E2<65@H? 367@C6 D64FC:?8 E96 BF2CE6C7:?2= H:? 3J A:?]k^Am

kAm$96 =6E @FE 2== E96 6>@E:@?D :? C62=:K2E:@? E92E D96 925 ;FDE 364@>6 2 DE2E6 >652=:DE]k^Am

kAm}2;6C2 DE@@5 2?5 J6==65[ Q{6EVD 8@PQk^Am

kAm(:E9 @?6 >2E49 :? 96C H2J @7 8@:?8 7@C 8@=5[ }2;6C2 =67E E96 2C6?2 E@ AC6A2C6 7@C E96 (65?6D52J 27E6C?@@? D6>:7:?2= 282:?DE ag\c *@C< D6?:@C pG6CJ p=36CD]k^Am

kAm%96 D6>:7:?2= H9:DE=6 D@F?565 2?5 }2;6C2 8@E E@ H@C<]k^Am

kAm%96 7:CDE A6C:@5 282:?DE p=36CD 6?565 D4@C6=6DD]k^Am

Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | RSS Feed | Omny Studio | All Of Our Podcasts

kAmp=36CD 49@D6 E96 E@A A@D:E:@? E@ DE2CE E96 D64@?5 A6C:@5[ 3FE E92E 5:5?VE D=@H }2;6C2 5@H?]k^Am

kAm$96 6D42A65 :? 7:G6 D64@?5D[ E96? 8@E 2 E2<65@H? E@ =625 c\_ 7@C 2 D64@?5 367@C6 p=36CD 8@E 2? 6D42A6]k^Am

kAm%96 C6>2:?56C @7 E96 A6C:@5 H2D 2 32EE=6 E@ 82:? 4@?EC@=]k^Am

kAm}2;6C2[ FA c\`[ 4@?E:?F65 E@ 7:89E 7@C 2 A@D:E:@? E@ D4@C6 @? p=36CD]k^Am

kAm(:E9 `e D64@?5D =67E[ D96 E@@< 96C D9@E E@ 86E @?6 7:?2= E2<65@H? E@ H:? f\`]k^Am

kAm{@@<:?8 29625 E@ E96 7:?2= >2E49[ D96 D2:5[ Qx 5@?VE 92G6 2?JE9:?8 E@ =@D6[ 2?5 6G6CJE9:?8 E@ 82:?]Qk^Am

kAmq2?56C2D D2:5 E92E D96 5:5?VE ?665 >F49 AC6AA:?8]k^Am

kAmQ$96 H2D C625J E@ 8@[Q 96 D2:5] Q(6 <?6H 96C 92C56DE >2E49 H2D 8@:?8 E@ 36 :? E96 BF2CE6CD] $96 D=6AE H6== =2DE ?:89E]k^Am

kAmQ(6 <?6H H92E E96 82>6 A=2? H2D[ 2?5 D96 DEF4< E@ :E]Qk^Am

kAm}2;6C2 H@F=5 7246 bg\` q62EC:46 ;F?:@C $92J=66 r2==@H2J :? E96 492>A:@?D9:A]k^Am

kAmp7E6C 2 ?62C=J D:I\9@FC H2:E[ }2;6C2VD ?2>6 H2D 42==65 2D D96 6?E6C65 E96 H2=<\@FE EF??6= E@ E2<6 96C A=246 24C@DD 7C@> r2==@H2J @? E96 >2E]k^Am

kAm$A@CE:?8 8C66? 2?<=6 32?5D[ }2;6C2 A=2465 96C 7@@E @? E96 DE2CE:?8 =:?6 :? E96 46?E6C @7 E96 >2E[ D9@@< r2==@H2JVD 92?5 2?5 2H2:E65 E96 3=@H @7 E96 H9:DE=6]k^Am

kAmr2C67F==J 42=4F=2E:?8 6G6CJ >@G6[ }2;6C2 8C2AA=65 E9C@F89 E96 7:CDE A6C:@5 :? E:6\FAD H:E9 r2==@H2J]k^Am

kAmr2==@H2J 6?565 E96 A6C:@5 H:E9 2? 6D42A6 E@ =625 `\_ 8@:?8 :?E@ E96 7:?2= EH@ >:?FE6D @7 E96 >2E49]k^Am

kAm(:E9 E96 49@:46 :? 96C 92?5D[ }2;6C2 49@D6 E96 ?6FEC2= A@D:E:@?]k^Am

kAm}2;6C2 7:?2==J 8@E :?E@ 96C 5@F3=6 F?56C 9@@< E@ 86E 2 E2<65@H? @G6C b_ D64@?5D :?E@ E96 E9:C5]k^Am

kAm$96 E@@< 2 f\` =625 27E6C 7@FC ?62C\72== A@:?ED]k^Am

kAm}2;6C2 H2D 23=6 E@ 4@?EC@= E96 C6DE @7 E96 >2E49 H:E9 r2==@H2J @? 96C 324<[ H:??:?8 E96 8@=5 >652= H:E9 2 f\` 564:D:@?]k^Am

kAm%96 |:?FE6>2:5 6?565 96C 9:89 D49@@= 42C66C H:E9 2 `_h\`a C64@C5]k^Am

k9bmw6C 7FEFC6k^9bm

kAmxE H2D E96 =2DE E:>6 D96 H@F=5 H:? 2 >2E49 7@C {6I:?8E@? w:89 $49@@=[ 3FE 96C HC6DE=:?8 42C66C 4@?E:?F6D]k^Am

kAm}2;6C2 D:8?65 H:E9 $@FE962DE r@>>F?:EJ r@==686 @? u63] c 2?5 H:== 36 D66? :? 2 q@342E D:?8=6E]k^Am

kAm(96? 2D<65 H92E H:??:?8 E96 492>A:@?D9:A >62?D 8@:?8 E@ E96 ?6IE =6G6=[ D96 D2:5[ QxE >62?D 2 =@E E@ >6 3642FD6 x 86E E@ 36 8C62E :? 5:776C6?E A=246D 2E 2 5:776C6?E =6G6=]k^Am

kAmQp?5 x ;FDE 86E E@ 92G6 >@C6 >6>@C:6D H:E9 @E96C A6@A=6]Qk^Am

Be the first to know

Get local news delivered to your inbox!

* I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.

Jessica Kennedy

Author email

Related to this story

5 Minutemaids bring home state wrestling hardware

5 Minutemaids bring home state wrestling hardware

OMAHA — The Lexington Minutemaid wrestlers had their highest team finish Wednesday, finishing fourth in the team race.

Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | Omny Studio | All Of Our Podcasts

Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | Omny Studio

Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | Omny Studio

Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | Omny Studio

Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS Feed | Omny Studio

Recommended for you

Watch Now: Related Video

Iranian military statement mocks US for 'strategic failure', suggests no negotiations over 15-point plan

This is America: How US diplomacy with Iran collapsed days before strikes began

This is America: How US diplomacy with Iran collapsed days before strikes began

This is America: How US diplomacy with Iran collapsed days before strikes began

WMO warns 'ocean warming at record levels & will continue for hundreds, if not thousands, of years'

WMO warns 'ocean warming at record levels & will continue for hundreds, if not thousands, of years'

WMO warns 'ocean warming at record levels & will continue for hundreds, if not thousands, of years'

Air traffic controller stress comes into focus after LaGuardia jet-fire truck collision

Air traffic controller stress comes into focus after LaGuardia jet-fire truck collision

AP

Air traffic controller stress comes into focus after LaGuardia jet-fire truck collision

Facebook
Twitter

Sites & Partners

Place an Ad
Join Our Team
Newsletter Signup

Services

Manage Subscription
Contact Us
Submission Forms
Licensing

© Copyright 2026 Lexington Clipper-Herald, 114 W. 5th St. Lexington, NE 68850

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Advertising Terms of Use | Do Not Sell My Info | Cookie Preferences

Powered by BLOX Content Management System from bloxdigital.com.

You are logged in

Switch accounts

Secure transaction. Cancel anytime. Have an account? Log In

Sign Up

Account processing issue - the email address may already exist

User information

Username (Optional)

This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely!

* First name

* Last name

* Email Address

Your email address will be used to confirm your account. We won't share it with anyone else.

* Password

Create a password that only you will remember. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address.

* Confirm Password

Confirm your password.

CAPTCHA

Have an account? Log In

You're all set!

Thank you .

Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.

Check your email for details.

OK

Log In

Invalid password or account does not exist

Email Address

Password

Remember me

Forgot your password?

Email me a log in link

Admin login Subscribe

Need an account? Sign Up

Reset Password

Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.

Email or Screen Name

CAPTCHA

Forgot Password

An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.

Email me a log in link

Account Email

CAPTCHA

Promotional Offers

Enter Promo Code

No promotional rates found.

Purchase Gift Purchase Access

An error occurred

Secure & Encrypted

What's your email address?

Email

Password

Confirm password

What's your name?

First name

Last name

Who is this gift for?

Recipient name

Recipient email

Optional message for the recipient

Who is this gift from?

Purchaser name

Purchaser email

Delivery date

Delivery date

What's your billing location?

Address

City

State

Zip Code

Country

What's your delivery address?

Copy billing location

Address

City

State

Zip code

Country

Phone

Subtotal:

Total:

How would you like to pay?

I Agree to the Subscription Terms of Use.
This service will be automatically renewed and your credit card billed once it nears expiration.

Secure transaction. Secure transaction. Cancel anytime.

You're all set!

Thank you.

Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.

A receipt was sent to your email.

OK

An error occurred

This offer is currently unavailable.