Boys Town Home Campus - Boys Town, NE

Trenton Washington celebrates his State Championship win with a hug from Coach Aaron Groff.

Cowboy Grapplers Grab Second at State
Team Wins First Runner-Up Title Since 1974

The Cowboys’ showing at the 2007 Nebraska State Wrestling tournament last weekend was the best at Boys Town High School in more than 30 years.

Boys Town High School took the state runner-up trophy with 148 team points – the team’s first second place finish since 1974, when the school competed in Class A. Teams in 2005 and 2006 took third; the Cowboys last won state in 1971.

Three wrestlers won individual State Championships, George Billy (112), Trenton Washington (140), and Kevin Barrett (215). Their wins tie this year’s team with the 2005 Cowboys team for the most individual State Champions in Boys Town High School history.

“I’m just happy for the kids and them having an opportunity to compete,” said Coach Aaron Groff. “This is a group of kids who doesn’t shy away of a challenge. They’re overachievers.” Since Groff took over the program in 2003, 13 Cowboy wrestlers have made it to the state wrestling finals, 11 became State Champions, ranking the program among the best in Nebraska.

Trenton Washington and George Billy finished the year undefeated – two of only four Class B wrestlers to do so. Kevin Barrett beat previously undefeated wrestler Landon Franklin of Gering by injury default for his medal win.

“Our kids wrestled their way back and won matches instead of throwing in the towel when they were down,” said Groff. “It’s a level of courage that most people don’t have.”

“Wrestling takes a lot of heart, dedication and focus,” said Brent Robinson, Boys Town Athletic Director. “This runner-up finish is a major tribute to Coach Groff and the entire wrestling program for their hard work as a team.”

Including medalists from the school’s Class A era, Boys Town High School has produced more individual State Champions than any other current Class B school in Nebraska with a total of 48 gold medal winners. Twenty-seven wrestlers have won individual honors since the switch to Class B in 1975. The school is ranked 5th in the state for the most overall individual wins.

George Billy is focused as he grapples with his opponent.	Kevin Barrett prepares to make his move in his quest for the title in the 215 pound weight class.