Wrestling: Husker Commit Cade Ziola Leads Team Nebraska at AFCW Junior National Duals

One of Nebraska’s 2025 commits, Cade Ziola led Team Nebraska to an impressive weekend at the Air Force Special Welfare Junior National Duals in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In Greco-Roman, Nebraska placed fourth in Pool A before placing seventh in the Bronze/Copper bracket (made up of the 3rd and 4th-place finishers in the four pools). In freestyle, Nebraska finished third in Pool B with its only loss 36-31 to Oklahoma Blue in the semifinals. In the Bronze/Copper bracket, Nebraska went 4-0, beating teams from Utah, Idaho, Washington and Ohio on its way to a 1st-place finish. In freestyle, Nebraska went 7-1 on the weekend.

Ranked #2 in the country at 190 pounds by MatScouts, Ziola contributed with a pair of wins in a style he’s not used to: Greco-Roman. Forbidden to attack below the waist, wrestlers use upper body attacks.

In freestyle where Ziola shines, he went 5-0 on the weekend. He outscored his opponents by a combined score of 51-1. The only point he gave up was a reversal in the final against Ohio Red in a match he won 11-1.

Other Team Nebraska Standouts

The state of Nebraska has been gradually producing more college talent and this weekend’s team had a lot of it. With a total of 15 individual state titles won among the roster of 19, some of the state’s best teamed up to take on some of the best in the country.

Abdi Unle - 113 pounds

Among the entire Nebraska team, nobody shined more than senior-to-be Abdi Unle out of Omaha Bryan. Fresh off an individual title at PNL Junior Freestyle at 113 pounds, Unle continued his dominant summer with a perfect record this weekend and the team’s biggest individual win.

Wrestling at 113 pounds, Unle went 3-0 in Greco-Roman matches, outscoring his opponents 32-7. In freestyle, Unle went 4-0 and outscored his opponents 48-8. In the biggest match of the weekend for Team Nebraska, Unle dominantly beat Alex Rozas of Louisiana Red via 16-6 tech. Rozas is the #4-ranked wrestler in the country at 113 pounds according to FloWrestling. Unle is currently unranked by Flo, but he’s ranked #14 by MatScouts.

This past season, Unle won his first Class A State Championship at 113 pounds, going 54-3 on the year. His record in high school is 143-15 going into his senior season. He’s a two-time state finalist and the favorite to win another at either 113 or 120 this next season.

Unle has a lot of explosiveness to him and some great leg attacks, including a beautiful blast double. His defense is solid, too.

Looking at Nebraska’s roster at 125 pounds where Unle would project at in college, Nebraska has All-American Caleb Smith, a senior, and Alan Koehler who will be a redshirt freshman. True freshman Kael Lauridsen is also listed at 125 but will likely move to 133 sooner rather than later after a probable redshirt this season.

With Smith gone after this season and Lauridsen likely moving up to eventually take over for Jacob Van Dee when he graduates, Nebraska needs someone in the 2025 class that projects at 125 pounds.

With only two commits now for the class of 2025, Nebraska needs to address its need at 125. Honestly, if the Huskers don’t offer Unle after the spring and summer he’s had, they’re crazy. The kid has a ton of upside and you get to keep the best kids in the state in the state. Do the right thing Nebraska and add this kid to your 2025 class.

If Nebraska adds Unle to the fold, he’d be able to redshirt in 2025-26 during Koehler’s sophomore year before growing into the weight and competing for a starting spot, probably in 2027-28 as a junior after Koehler graduates. Also, the freestyle coaching he’d receive from Tervel Dlagnev, Mark Manning, James Green and Bryan Snyder would be invaluable.

Adonis Bonar II - 190 pounds

Combining with Ziola at 190 pounds was Adonis Bonar II, a Greco-Roman specialists who has won a Fargo title already. He won a state title in Class A this past March at 190 pounds, going 44-5 on the year. He’s committed to California Baptist’s 2025 class.

This weekend, Bonar went 6-0 in Greco and 3-0 in freestyle for a perfect 9-0 record. Between him and Ziola, Team Nebraska went a combined 16-0 at 190 pounds. He’s a good pickup for Cal Baptist.

Logan Glynn - 157 pounds

A senior-to-be at Millard South, Logan Glynn is a two-time Class A state champion.

Glynn had himself a weekend where he went a combined 14-2 between both Greco and freestyle. In Greco, he went 7-1 with his only loss coming to #2 Vince Bouzakis 8-2, an Ohio State commit. In freestyle, Glynn also went 7-1 with his only loss via pinfall against Utah.

Up from 150 to 157, Glynn is uncommitted as of yet. With the loss of Kody Routledge from the 2025 class, Glynn could be a good get for the Huskers if they’re looking to add a 157-pounder in this class.

Zaiyahn Ornelas - 113 pounds

Teaming up with Unle at 113 pounds was Zaiyahn Ornelas. A two-time undefeated Class C state champion, Ornelas went a combined 6-1 over the weekend

In Greco, Ornelas went 4-1 with his only loss against Team Michigan. In freestyle, Ornelas went 2-0. Combined with Unle, Team Nebraska went a combined 13-1 at 113 pounds this weekend between both styles.

A possible Husker target for the class of 2026, Ornelas continues to impress.

John Alden - 138 pounds

A freshman-to-be at Wyoming, Alden was a state champion for O’Neill.

This weekend, Alden wrestled only freestyle but went 6-1 throughout the tournament with his only loss a 17-14 decision loss against Team Oklahoma Blue. His six wins came via technical superiority.

Tyler Harrill - 150 pounds

Already a two-time state champion in Class B for Omaha Skutt, Harrill is going into his junior year as one of the most sought-after prospects in the state.

This weekend, Harrill went a combined 8-2 between both styles. In Greco, Harrill went 2-1. He then went 5-1 in freestyle with all of his wins coming via pinfall or tech.

Mason Villwok - 215 pounds

A Chadron State commit and former Nebraska state champion, Mason Villwok went 10-3 this weekend at 215 pounds. In Greco, he went 5-2 before going 5-1 in freestyle.

Riley Johnson - 165 pounds

Another Skutt guy on the squad, Riley Johnson went a combined 10-5 on the weekend. In Greco, he was 5-3, while he went 5-2 in freestyle matches.

Mason Petersen - 144 pounds

As a sophomore, Mason Petersen beat Little Rock commit Miles Anderson for a state title this past February and looked good this weekend as well, going 9-5 between both styles.

In Greco, Petersen went 4-2 before going 5-3 in freestyle matches.

A 2026 prospect, Petersen has flashed Division I potential but needs to continue improving.

Cole Welte - 120 pounds

A Class B runner up at state this past year for Skutt, Welte had a solid weekend. In Greco competition, he went 3-3 before putting together a 4-1 record in freestyle.