Villwok looks to end historical grappling career on top of podium

ELKHORN — Despite all of the recent achievements of Elkhorn athletics between the three Elkhorn high schools, wrestling has been the one sport that has seen little success at the state level in recent years. 

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Going back more than 50 years, only eight grapplers from Elkhorn have ever claimed a state championship, all eight coming from Elkhorn High. 

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The last state champ came in 2001 when Scott Kokenge won the 130-pound Class A crown.

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The drought was snapped last year when then Elkhorn High junior Mason Villwok captured the Class B 195-pound championship.

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“It was amazing,” Villwok recalled. “No one had won a state title for Elkhorn in 22 years and I felt like I had cracked the curse. Coach (Jairin) Potter (Elkhorn High wrestling coach during Villwok’s first three seasons) had this heartbreaking story of one of his buddies passing away in college. He promised him he would win a state title for him and I was the guy to win it for him. It felt really good that I was doing it for more than just myself. I won it for my school, coach Potter and the community. It just takes one to get a program going and I am super grateful.”

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Villwok used a late takedown in the third period to score a 3-2 victory over Beatrice’s Deegan Nelson to capture the first state crown in 22 years for Elkhorn High.

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“Deegan was a defensive wrestler and over the years that has been my biggest weakness,” Villwok added. “I couldn’t set him up during the first two periods but coach (Jairin) Potter told me to keep going. The whole week we worked on going into deep waters and late into matches. We were ready to go the full three periods. I was ready to go and my conditioning held. I eventually cracked his armor and got the two-point takedown. It was history from there.”

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Villwok’s state title win was the culmination of two years of blood, sweat and tears.

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As a freshman, Villwok qualified for his first state tournament at 160. After dropping his first match of the tournament, Villwok rattled off two-straight wins to advance to the heartbreak round on Friday evening. The freshman fell 8-4 to conclude his rookie campaign one win short of a state medal.

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“That went about as badly as any match could,” Villwok admitted. “I’m not going to lie, I sat there and cried for 30 minutes afterwards. I took it pretty hard but it was good for me. I need something that can provide a spark and get me going. It was probably one of the worst losses of my life but I’m also grateful for what it did for me.”

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Villwok used that setback to come back in 2021-22 poised for a run at the podium. Villwok bounced back from a quarterfinal loss to eventual state champion Jacob Awiszus of Gering to take third at 182 as a sophomore.

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“I went from not placing to getting third,” Villwok continued. “I did not miss a practice, I was on every dual team and competed at every tournament I could get my hands on. I did nothing but wrestle until the next state tournament. Without that setback freshman year, I probably wouldn’t have a state title right now.”

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The third-place finish gave Villwok the confidence he needed to climb a few more spots on the podium to a state crown his junior season.

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After last year’s run to a state title with an impressive 50-1 record, Villwok entered the 2023-24 campaign as the hunted, not the hunter.

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“The big takeaway this year was to wrestle the way I want to wrestle,” Villwok stated. “The matches I lost and the matches that were close, I let my opponent dictate the match. I have to be me and wrestle how I want to wrestle. If I do that, I don’t think anyone in the state can stop me.”

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Villwok has been a leader for the Antler grapplers since stepping into the wrestling room as a freshman.

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“It is unbelievable what he has done for this program from the first day he stepped into this room,” Elkhorn High wrestling coach Bobby Edwards commented. “He is vocal when he needs to be and demonstrates his leadership with his actions. He is always ready to go and the first one with his shoes on before practice. He is the first one to stay after practice and help a teammate if he has a question. This sport can get real grueling but he pushes through. His demonstrations have been what has led to the success of this program.” 

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To have a senior like Villwok on the team during Edwards’ first year at the helm, was crucial in building the Elkhorn High wrestling program.

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“He has made it incredibly easy this year,” Edwards added. “He brought out a few of his senior buddies this year. Sam Leinen had never stepped on a wrestling mat before and was one win away from making it to state. Sam worked with Mason and he wouldn’t have been here without guys like Mason. Mason promotes this program outside of the room. To have him and the other guys promote the program outside of the wrestling room, has helped tremendously.”

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With his early success, Villwok knew he would be one of the leaders the team would lean on and come to for advice.

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“I’m not the loudest when it comes to being a leader, but if anyone had questions about a move or anything I tried to be there and help them,” Villwok said. “I was doing the right things at the right time. It was super humbling that people looked up to me and wanted to wrestle like me. I use that as motivation for the team and how I am in the community. If I can help anyone in any way, I’m always there to help.”

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The senior Antler enters his final state wrestling tournament with a 39-2 mark and a No. 1 seed at 215 pounds. Villwok, a two-year starter for the Antler football team as well, has prepared for his senior campaign with plenty of stout competition this year. Villwok trains with several state champions during the offseason and traveled to California in January to compete at the Doc Buchanan Invitational.

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“I drill with the likes of Caeden Olin (state champion at Millard South), Cade Ziola (state champion from Skutt Catholic) and a little bit with Noah Blair (two-time state champion at Millard West) at NWC,” Villwok noted. “Caeden is one of my favorite people to drill with and is a great guy. He does a great job pushing me. Noah is probably the hardest worker I know. They have all helped make me better. They push me, take me down and beat me up a little bit. It helps me work on my defense and work on my shot. I have to give credit to those guys, they are tough as nails.”

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Along with the rare state title, Villwok will leave Elkhorn High as one of the most decorated grapplers in school history. The senior 215-pounder is the program’s all-time wins leader and the only Antler to tally 100-career falls.

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“Mason Villwok does things the right way at all points and times,” Edwards spoke. “He works his butt off from the start until the end. He is a phenomenal kid outside the wrestling room as well. He has helped build this program to what it is right now.”

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Although Villwok’s high school career is drawing to a close, the senior 215-pounder has plenty of wrestling left in his future. This past fall, Villwok signed his letter of intent to wrestle at Chadron State College. 

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“It felt like home,” Villwok stated. “Coach (Brett) Hunter is the man and is a lot like coach Potter, I guess that was why I was drawn to him pretty fast. He was the first guy to recruit me and was there for me at Fargo (Nationals). He is the first guy to reach out and I knew the team was going to do well. They are great wrestlers and great people. I couldn’t ask for a better place to be and can’t wait to join them.”

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Villwok plans to study business management, but is considering a marketing degree as well.

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Villwok has one more goal to accomplish before heading west to Chadron. The senior Antler can become the second wrestler in program history to win multi-time state championships. Villwok is excited for the challenge and the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy in Elkhorn.

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“I have one more thing to do and my job is not done yet,” Villwok concluded. “I want to build on my legacy here and I want my name to be written on Elkhorn’s walls forever. I have to finish the job by staying focused, humbled and keep grinding.”

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Wrestling begins Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at the CHI Health Center, with semifinals to follow Friday at 6:30 p.m. and the state championship matches slated for Saturday at 3 p.m.