The blue mat serves as the border for your control system. Stepping on the surface, your feet tread lightly on the cushioned mats. You zone in your opponent, tuning the rest of the world out. The whistle blows and all noise fades away.  In a gripping effort you pin them down, their shoulders driven into the floor. The match is over.

Senior Chase Moore knows the grit and effort it takes to be a wrestler, having achieved 100 career wins on Jan. 4 during a dual against Papillion La Vista.

“It’s a big achievement for me,” Moore said. “I never really kept count of how many wins I had, and I knew that having 100 wins was always a big deal, but achieving it really makes me feel like I’m moving in the right direction.”

As a four-time varsity wrestler and two-time State Qualifier, Moore’s accomplishments on the mat are reflected in his ability to take charge.

“He’s just a tough wrestler, works really hard, and gets after his opponents,” head wrestling coach Scott Loveless said.

Loveless has been the head coach for 13 years, playing a pivotal role in Moore’s wrestling career.

“Coach Loveless has always pushed me and worked us the hardest,” Moore said. “As far as wrestling we’ve always been the people in the best shape and we’ve never really been the kids to get tired first.”

Assistant coach Tyson Chromy has observed the time and dedication Moore puts into the sport when it comes to staying in peak condition.

“He works out quite a bit in the off season so his continued effort brings him to another level,” Chromy said.

Moore’s focus all year round combined with his attitude has contributed to his triumphs.

“My favorite part about being one of Moore’s coaches is the positivity he brings to the wrestling room every day,” Chromy said.

Moore’s passion for wrestling stems from his father, former college wrestler and founder of youth program Mustang Wrestling Club Jeremy Moore.

“I would have never guessed in my life I would have had the opportunity to coach and mentor my own son all the way through his young years and through his high school career, it has been a dream come true for me,” J. Moore said.

A shared enthusiasm for wrestling has made Moore’s achievements all the more fulfilling.

“I will never forget the Friday Night Fracas in Nebraska City his junior year,” J. Moore said.  “Chase was unranked at the time, taking the mat against the #5 ranked kid in the state.  He walked to the center of the mat, looked right at me and gave me a very intense nod of confidence.  He wanted to assure me ‘He’s got this’.  He went out and dominated the #5 kid in the state.”

Having his father in a mentor position has enabled Moore to refine his skills as a wrestler.

“He’s always helped me the most on Saturday mornings [and] Sunday mornings, going and finding a way to workout and working me through techniques that I need to work on,” Moore said.

Suffering from a torn ACL for the majority of last season, Moore’s determination was seen in how he handled the injury.

“I worked through the pain and knew that I could wrestle on it and still give my best effort even though I was not as strong,” Moore said.

Moore has been able to continue wrestling after having surgery last spring.

“He has been working around the clock through this significant setback,” J. Moore said.

Currently Moore aims to place at the State tournament, with the state-qualifier taking place on Feb.10th.

“Chase is a very strong minded, confident, determined, and hard-working athlete.  He will not stop at nothing till he achieves what he has set out to accomplish,” J. Moore said.

Now leading the team in takedowns and accumulating 100 career wins, Moore’s diligence has been highlighted in his success.

“You have a great kid like that in your program, it’s really well deserved, and we’re really happy for him,” Chromy said.

Moore’s hard-working character has been remembered most throughout his high school career, and achieving one-hundred wins shows the frame of mind he has carried and will continue to carry in the future.