VALENTINE, Neb. - A brother-sister duo from Valentine is making school history as they both prepare to compete in the Nebraska state wrestling tournament. Freshman Reegan Eggert and her older brother, sophomore Rownan Eggert, are the first siblings from the town to qualify for state in the same year.

On Monday the town sent Reegan off to state with police cars and fire trucks escorting her through the streets. For Reegan, who will be competing at state for the first time, the excitement comes with nerves.

“I’m really scared,” she admitted.

However, one person who has been key in helping her stay calm is her older brother, Rownan.

“I’m really excited to go to state with her especially,” said Rownan.

“I don’t think a lot of people get to experience that, but we do,” said Reegan.

Head Coach Marcus Nelson is proud of his team, which will be sending eight wrestlers to state, including the Eggerts.

“They’re kind of the same person in the way they act, but Rownan is more shy and reserved, and Reegan is the most outgoing person you’ll ever meet,” Nelson said. “It’s pretty cool for a brother-sister combo to qualify for state for the first time from Valentine.”

Rownan has been wrestling since first grade, but Reegan only picked up the sport two years ago.

“I remember seeing Rownan being on bottom, and I was like, ‘Just get up. It’s not that hard,’” Reegan said. “Then he’s like, ‘It’s harder than what you think, Reegan.’ I was like, ‘I’ll just show you,’ and I started wrestling.”

That sibling rivalry has helped push both of them to succeed. While they challenge each other, they also offer unwavering support.

“I was very proud of my sister when she made it, especially because she’s a freshman and competing against almost all older girls,” Rownan said.

“I think Rownan was under pressure because they were like, ‘Your sister is going to state, Rownan. You have to make it,’” Reegan said. “He did, and he actually placed higher than me. I guess that was him one-upping me in a sense.”

As the Eggerts prepare to step onto the mat at state, they do so not only as competitors but as a family making school history.