LINCOLN, Neb. (June 28, 2019) – Nebraska Sports Council officials announced today that wrestling coach Norm Manstedt, who retired this year after a 50-year head coaching career at Clarks and later, High Plains High School, has been named the Honorary Marshal of the Cornhusker State Games Opening Ceremonies Parade of Athletes.
The Opening Ceremonies takes place Friday, July 19 at 8 p.m. at Seacrest Field in Lincoln. Manstedt will lead athletes onto the field to kick off a celebration including skydivers, fireworks, trampoline acrobatics, patriotic tribute and the lighting of the caldron by a mystery athlete.
Manstedt made his retirement official at the 2019 Nebraska State High School Wrestling Tournament in February when he left his shoes on the mat following his team’s final match. Over his 50-year career, Manstedt coached 205 state qualifiers, 55 state finalists, 34 state champions and 61 state medalists. Not bad for a man who never wrestled before taking over coaching duties at Clarks High School 50 years ago.
Manstedt was also recently named Nebraska Wrestling Coach of the Year and Section V Coach of the Year for the National Wrestling Coaches Association.
More than 5,500 athletes are already registered for the Games, most of which take place July 19-28. July 8 is the final deadline for most sports. Those interested can find information and register at CornhuskerStateGames.com.
Top sports so far include shooting sports—436, soccer—386, volleyball—358, basketball—337, ice hockey—320, track & field—319 and softball—311. Athletes range in age from three (Theodore Droge, Tecumseh) to 90 (Jack Campbell, Lincoln).
The Cornhusker State Games is a program of the Nebraska Sports Council, which also conducts the Mud Run, Pumpkin Run, LiveWell Challenge and the Nebraska Corporate Games.
Platinum partners include Farmers Mutual of Nebraska, Pepsi-Cola of Lincoln and Nebraska Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine. Learn more at NebraskaSportsCouncil.com.
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