Macallistair Chambers Reaches 174 lbs. Finals, Finishes 2nd at Younes Hospitality Open

The Cloud County Community College wrestling squad competed in the largest college tournament in the country on Saturday, November 23, taking part in the 13th annual Younes Hospitality Open at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds in Kearney, Nebraska. The tournament, hosted by the University of Nebraska-Kearney, featured more than 800 wrestlers from NCAA Division I and Division II schools, NAIA institutions and junior colleges.

Sophomore Macallistair Chambers advanced to the first place match at 174 pounds before falling by a 7-4 decision to Leo Tukhlnynovych of Rochester Community & Technical College. Chambers has run his record to 18-5 on the season.

Chambers received a first round bye to start the day. He then took care of business in the championship second round by scoring a 16-1 technical fall over Cesar Morales of Cowley College. Chambers defeated Mason Buss of Southwest Minnesota State by an 8-1 decision in the championship third round. In the quarterfinal round, Chambers picked up an 8-5 decision over Matteo Nikolov of Iowa Western Community College. Chambers then edged out Wyatt Elam of the University of Mary by an 8-6 decision to advance to the first place match.

Chambers, a returning NJCAA Division I national tournament qualifier, has registered two second place finishes and one third place finish through the first four tournaments of the 2024-2025 season.

Sophomore Easton Boone also competed in the 174 pound amateur weight bracket. His day began with a first round bye, followed by a 17-1 technical fall loss to Levi Deaguero of Adams State. Boone received another bye in the consolation second round before posting his own 17-1 technical fall victory over Josh Coon of Adams State. In his next match, Boone won an 11-1 major decision over Gatlin Wilson of Western Wyoming College. He closed out the tournament in the consolation fifth round by falling in a 4-1 decision to Noah Jensen of Southwest Minnesotate State.
Sophomore Darian "D.J." Gillins went 2-2 in competition. Wrestling at 197 lbs., Gillins received an opening round bye before winning by a 6-5 decision over Collin Stone of Midland University. Gillins also picked up a 6-4 decision over Zach Shunway of Southeast Community College. In the quarterfinal round, Gillins suffered a loss by fall to Marco Reyes of the University of Mary. He also lost by fall to Sam Andres of the University of Nebraska-Kearney in the consolation bracket.

Five other T-Bird wrestlers won at least one head-to-head bout in the Younes Hospitality Open. They were Daniel Vines at 141 lbs., Lukas Zodrow at 149 lbs., Jacob Vasquez at 165 lbs., Micah Cauthers at 184 lbs., and Jayden Berry at 285 lbs.

Cloud County will take a two-week break before returning to action on Sunday, December 8 in the Bob Smith Open hosted by Fort Hays State University. Action is slated to begin at 9 am.