By LINCOLN ARNEAL/Telegram Sports Writer
COLUMBUS – The first thing Mick Bubak did when he found out the Nebraska Schools Activities Association voted to move the state wrestling tournament to the Qwest Center in Omaha was get on his cell phone.
The Lakeview wrestling coach wasn’t calling friends or family to inform them of the change, he was trying to book hotel reservations for the 2006 tournament.
Bubak, who was in Lincoln for a wrestling coaches clinic, found the hotels were already filling up, but booked rooms for the tournament after a few tries.
“We got reservations, “he said Monday. “But there’s not a whole lot of hotels right there.”
The NSAA approved the move by a 6-0 vote on Friday that sends the three-day event from the Bob Devaney Center in Lincoln up Interstate 80 to Omaha.
While the NSAA based its decision on the financial benefits, Columbus coach Rick Benson said he celebrated the move because of a safer environment for the wrestlers.
Benson, who has been a vocal supporter of the move for the past two years, said the wrestlers are not only in danger of getting hurt by crashing into the scorers’ table, the bleachers or other wrestlers, but they also are in danger of getting hurt on the scoreboard.
“My problem is you put mats on top of each other, “he said. “We teach our kids to score on the edge of the mat all year long. But at the state tournament you don’t get that score because you are going toward the scorers’ table.”
At the Devaney Center, eight mats are squeezed onto the floor without much space between them. Also, the scorers tables are directly adjacent to the mats. At the Qwest Center more room will be available for full-sized mats.
In addition, more mat space will be available for warming up. Currently, wrestlers use the Nebraska Wrestling room, which is smaller than two full-sized mats. Estimates say three will be available for competitors at the Qwest Center.
David City Aquinas coach Tony Horacek said he’s seen the difference that full-sized mats make at the state tournament.
He said that in the finals this year, Jared Meister scored a takedown in the final minute to win the Class C 152-pound championship match. Horacek said Meister earned the takedown in the finals because there were only four mats on the floor, but if that had happened during any other round, when eight mats are used, he wouldn’t have scored.
“If there is more room for mats then it is a positive, “Horacek said. “There is a safety issue when the circle shrinks. You need a bigger space for high-level competition.”
With an eight mat setup, the Qwest Center has 2,000 more seats for spectators than the Devaney Center. In the past few years, reserved seats for the championship and semifinal rounds have sold out in a few hours. Fans who tried to purchase tickets the day of the finals were often turned away.
While the move allows more room for wrestlers and spectators, Columbus junior Jay Sherer said the tradition aspect will be lost.
Sherer, who has won state championships the past two years, said he is disappointed to see the relocation and enjoys competing in the same place as previous Columbus champions.
“For me it is going to be weird, “Sherer said about competing in the Qwest Center. “It’s always been a tradition to go down to the Devaney. I’d rather compete there.”
Benson said he hopes some traditions, such as the Walk of Champions, are continued at the Qwest Center. The center has already proven its ability to put on high level wrestling events, hosting the Big 12 Championships this year.
Bubak expects the tournament to stay in Omaha until Lincoln can build a facility comparable to the Qwest Center.
On Monday, KOLN/KGIN reported the West Haymarket group in Lincoln has preliminary plans for an arena and convention center, which would cost more than $220 million. Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau President Wendy Birdsall said the loss of the state tournament could prompt a new facility to be built.
But regardless of the long-term future of state wrestling, Benson said the move will be beneficial for all parties involved in the next few years.
“This is totally for the competitors, “he said. “I’m excited to see it go to the Qwest. I think it will be good for wrestling.”
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