Twin River Wrestling

Braxtin Fowler (left) and Cade Kunkel were joined by Twin River coach Kalin Koch at the 2026 AAU Scholastic Duals in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Photo provided

Braxtin Fowler (left) and Cade Kunkel were joined by Twin River coach Kalin Koch at the 2026 AAU Scholastic Duals in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Photo provided

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Titan duo earn medals at AAU Duals

Ncj Staff Report
Saturday, June 27, 2026
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A pair of Twin River wrestlers are coming home with some hardware.Cade Kunkel and Braxtin Fowler joined the Nebraska Lakers to go 8-3 overall and take second place in the silver division, finishing 10th overall out of 35 teams in the developmental division.
Kiptyn Hamik, Zach Held, Kane Wetovick and Tate Wood join Colsten Rodriguez to make up the NCJ All-Area First Team. NCJ file photos

Kiptyn Hamik, Zach Held, Kane Wetovick and Tate Wood join Colsten Rodriguez to make up the NCJ All-Area First Team. NCJ file photos

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NCJ announces boys 2025-2026 All-Area teams

Rick Holtz
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
There are a lot of talented athletes in Nance County.Each week throughout the school year we chose two athletes (and sometimes more) and recognized them for their achievements that previous week. Sometimes the choices were obvious — breaking a school record or winning a state title.
Zach Held is Twin River’s first wrestling state champ. NCJ photos by Jen Johnson

Zach Held is Twin River’s first wrestling state champ. NCJ photos by Jen Johnson

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Historic Performance

Ken Kush
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
OMAHA — Twin River made history over the weekend.Twin River junior Zach Held came into the Class D State Wrestling Tournament as the No. 2 seed at 126 pounds.In 33 matches the junior had lost only one match.On Saturday Held capped his year with a state title win over No.
Twin River is sending 4 wrestlers — Cade Kunkel, Zach Held, Braxtin Fowler and Chance Swantek — to State this week in Omaha. NCJ photos by Jen Johnson

Twin River is sending 4 wrestlers — Cade Kunkel, Zach Held, Braxtin Fowler and Chance Swantek — to State this week in Omaha. NCJ photos by Jen Johnson

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Next Stop: Omaha

Ken Kush
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
SHELBY — A handful of Nance County wrestlers have punched their tickets for State.Twin River saw Cade Kunkel, Zach Held, Braxtin Fowler and Chance Swantek, along with Fullerton’s Tate Wood, qualify for State. Kunkel, Held and Fowler were all district champions. Wood was district runner-up.
Landen Cauthon finished first at 144 pounds. NCJ photos by Ken Kush

Landen Cauthon finished first at 144 pounds. NCJ photos by Ken Kush

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Wrestlers prepare for district meet

Ken Kush
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
BRAINARD — The CRC Boys Wrestling Tournament was held at East Butler on Thursday with seven Crossroads Conference teams joined by Goldenrod’s Riverside, Palmer, Fullerton and Newman Grove/St Ed for competition.East Butler feasted on home cooking as they edged Cross County/Osceola 156.
Delylla Olson and Fullerton finished their season last week at the B-2 District. NCJ photo by Ken Kush

Delylla Olson and Fullerton finished their season last week at the B-2 District. NCJ photo by Ken Kush

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Girls wrestling season ends at district

Ken Kush
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
COLUMBUS — The Fullerton girls wrestling season came to an end on Friday as both wrestlers who were competing for the Warriors lost their first and second round matches.Battle Creek, Lakeview and Ord finished in the top three spots in the team race in the Class B District 2 at Lakeview.
Twin River's Zach Held won his 100th career bout on Saturday. Photo provided

Twin River's Zach Held won his 100th career bout on Saturday. Photo provided

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Titans finish 7th at Darrell Barnes Invite

Rick Holtz
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
ARAPAHOE — Twin River had a strong showing on Saturday at the Darrell Barnes Invite at Arapahoe, with the Titans finishing 7th overall out of 18 teams.The Titans saw four wrestlers medal at the event. Cade Kunkel (113 pounds) and Zach Held (132 pounds) finished first.
NCJ photos by Melissa Aaberg

NCJ photos by Melissa Aaberg

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Warriors top Titans in county dual

Rick Holtz
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
FULLERTON — It was a battle for county supremacy.Fullerton and Twin River met for a dual on Thursday, with the Warriors holding on for a 36-24 win. Only four matches were contested, with both teams securing two wins.Twin River’s Aden Andel pinned Timothy Hittner in 3:52 for the win at 144 pounds.
NCJ photos by Travis Lane

NCJ photos by Travis Lane

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Titans stand tall at Bob Orsborn Classic

Rick Holtz
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
STROMSBURG — Twin River finished fifth overall on Saturday at the Bob Orsborn Classic at Cross County High School.The Titans had three wrestlers win their weight classes. Cade Kunkel (113-pounds), Zach Held (126-pounds), Braxtin Fowler (132-pounds) all finished first.
Zach Held pinned Collin Hopkins (North Bend Central) in 37 seconds in their quarter- final match up. NCJ photos by Rick Holtz

Zach Held pinned Collin Hopkins (North Bend Central) in 37 seconds in their quarter- final match up. NCJ photos by Rick Holtz

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Titans compete in David City

Rick Holtz
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
DAVID CITY — Twin River competed in the Aquinas Invitational on Saturday in David City.The Titans had two wrestlers — Zach Held and Braxtin Fowler — make it to the podium.Held was the 126-pound champion.