Square Donut celebrates five years of community and creativity
Enjoy modern cuisine in a rustic setting at Dynamite Woodfire Grill
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to 2025—I hope your year is off to a fantastic start! A new year means new opportunities to turn your dreams into reality, whether it’s starting a business, taking a bucket list vacation, or learning a new hobby. In this issue, we’re celebrating individuals and businesses that have taken the leap and found success along the way.
Julie Tartaglia, an independent realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and co-owner of The WestEnd, left her salon business 16 years ago to go into real estate—one of the best decisions she’s ever made. Her motto “when life happens” captures the passion she has for helping her clients no matter what phase of life they are experiencing.
This March marks Square Donut’s 5th anniversary, and owner Elizabeth Pooley attributes much of their success to her team. The creative visionary has overcome many challenges—including opening at the start of the pandemic— to become a staple in the community, giving back and supporting other small businesses at every turn. To celebrate, they are bringing back their most popular donuts of the month from the last five years—congratulations!
Looking for some new places to try for cocktails and dinner? Dynamite Woodfire Grill at The Farnam downtown and The Vault at Regency Landing should be at the top of your list. Dynamite’s rustic atmosphere and modern menu will warm you on a cold winter night, and The Vault is the perfect spot for a cozy evening with friends.
We love sharing stories of youth in our community who are pursuing their dreams. Eight-year-old Kora Bingham is the 2025 Ultimate International Miss Central States Princess, which was inspired by watching her mom, Shannon Bingham, compete as Mrs. Midwest International. And Bryan High School senior Abdirahman Unle (Abdi) is a Nebraska Class A 113-pound state wrestling champion with Olympic dreams.
Thank you to all of our advertising partners and readers who continue to support us as we enter our 12th year of business—cheers to making dreams come true!
Kathy Rygg Executive Editor
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Anna Hartman, Shelly Nosbisch, Mike Watkins and Andy Williams
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rom the moment Jordan and Brandon Cernik first drove through the South Hamptons neighborhood in Elkhorn, Nebraska, they were captivated. For them, the neighborhood struck the perfect balance— secluded and serene, yet close enough to Omaha for convenience.
What really set it apart, however, was the forest—a rare gem among the city’s suburban landscape.
“Our future lot was a remarkable find,” said Jordan Cernik, Vice President of Arjay Builders, Inc., which builds custom luxury homes. “Nestled between two homes, it stood untouched, with towering 100-plus year-old oak trees sprawling across a dramatic hill. Unlike the other developed lots, this one retained a raw beauty with trees that seemed to disappear deep into the forest, creating a tranquil, storybook backdrop. My husband and I exchanged a look, and in that moment, we knew this was it, this was where we’d build our dream home.”
After purchasing the lot in 2020, the Cerniks rolled up their sleeves and got to work, first doing thoughtful, selective tree removal to preserve as many of the oaks as possible while making room for their home. To prepare the hill for construction, truckloads of dirt were hauled away, resulting in a lot that Cernik said retains its forested charm—a lush, green view that feels like a retreat.
As for the design and construction of their home, she said they took their time, drawing inspiration from the timeless
Tudor Revival style to complement the lot’s natural elegance. “Our property feels like a piece of history; a nod to nature, thoughtfully balanced with a home that honors the beauty surrounding it,” she said.
After two years of planning, designing, and carefully building, the couple proudly moved into their dream home in 2022. Cernik said because they built their home from the ground up, every detail was carefully designed and thoughtfully executed to make it a space that perfectly
reflects their vision. Over the past two years, they have made a few personal touches to enhance the property.
“My husband crafted a charming wood-burning firepit in the backyard, creating the perfect spot for cozy evenings outdoors,” she said. “We also planted mature evergreens along the south side of the property, adding a layer of privacy and helping the home feel even more secluded and serene.”
One of the most memorable decisions the Cerniks made was choosing the façade’s material. They stumbled upon a masonry technique online called German Smear—a process that uses mortar to create a whitewashed, textured finish on brick or stone. Cernik instantly fell in love with it, and though it was a popular
style in places like Texas, it was almost unheard of in Omaha at the time. After extensive research, she made the bold choice to German Smear the entire front of the house despite some pushback.
“Many masonry companies were hesitant, some even advising against it, because once it was done, there was no turning back,” she said. “A common response I received was, ‘You want to cover your natural stone in mortar?’ But we took the plunge, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the result. Now, it’s exciting to see more homes around Omaha embracing this technique, and it feels great to have been part of bringing this unique style to the area.”
Another feature of this custom home is the “thoughtful and consistent use of
materials that capture the essence of Tudor style” that gives it an authentic, old-world feel. Cernik said every detail was chosen to reflect the time period and create a cohesive atmosphere throughout the space. This coupled with Arjay Builder’s custom quality is what makes the home so special.
One of the standout features is the stunning reclaimed timber beams—each weighing a remarkable 400 pounds—that float over the cathedral ceiling of the living room. This expanse brings a feeling of grandeur and history to the home.
The home also boasts a custom fireplace surround inspired by a photo of an authentic 1920s
piece, further tying in the home’s period style. In the main level powder room, the Cerniks added an eye-catching touch with 3D black and white patterned tiles sourced from Italy, creating a striking focal point that evokes a parlor-like atmosphere. Another unique bathroom feature is the dentil crown molding painted in a rich, deep green, which looks almost black and complements the beadboard accented by brass globe sconces and floral wallpaper.
“Throughout the house, there are subtle yet distinctive elements, like pops of brass and reeded glass accents that nod to the Tudor period and add a timeless elegance,” Cernik said. “One of the most
memorable details is the primary bath’s grey and white checkerboard tile flooring—a discontinued pattern I fought hard to secure, making it a rare and special addition to the space. Every element, from the smallest accents to the largest features, was chosen with intention to make our home a true reflection of the style and character we love.”
Despite only living in the home for two years, Cernik said the couple has decided to sell the home with the intention of taking on a new design and build adventure. And while she admits it’s a bittersweet choice, they thrive on change and the excitement of new projects.
“We’re ready to embark on a fresh adventure, with hopes that the next owners will fall in love with this home just as much as we have,” she said. “The thought of it continuing to be appreciated and cared for brings us joy, knowing its next chapter will be just as meaningful as the one we’ve had here.” For more information or to schedule a showing, contact Michael Maley with M2 Real Estate Group, 402-981-7400, michael.maley@ bhhsamb.com.
julie Tartaglia runs an advertisement that tells you everything you need to know about why she loves being a real estate agent and how she has built a thriving business as one of Berkshire Hathaway Real Estate’s top reps in the Omaha area.
The ad’s headline reads “When Life Happens,” and includes images of a person with a cane, a broken heart, an engagement ring, a baby stroller, and a moving truck.
Tartaglia has seen all that and much more in her 16-year career as a realtor, and she relishes being part of those life-changing moments.
Story
ANDY WILLIAMS
“The closing table is my favorite part of the business, but not because we’re closing a deal,” Tartaglia said. “It’s because somebody is starting a dream and another person is closing a chapter and moving on to their next journey. People are always going to be moving. People relocate. They have more kids than what their house can hold. They need to move to senior living. People are always going to have those moments in life, and I love to be there for those big moments.”
Tartaglia is present for bittersweet touchpoints for her clients too. Such as the friend she just helped whose wife recently passed away. Or another elderly friend whose husband died after a lengthy bout with Alzheimer’s. “These are sad times, but I get the opportunity to hold her hand and tell her, ‘When the time is right, I’m here for you.’ It doesn’t have to be tomorrow; it doesn’t have to be in a year. It can be whenever you’re ready. I want people to know that I’m there. It’s not the money. It’s not the actual sale. It’s the journey. For so many people, it’s such a big deal. Your home is the biggest thing you invest in, and it’s full of memories.”
That has been Tartaglia’s approach since she made a big move herself in 2008, from owning and running a beauty salon to becoming an independent realtor upon the advice of a salon client. Tartaglia advanced to become a Top 20 agent as part of a large team, eventually transitioned to a smaller team of three, and then late last year made the switch back to being independent again. As an independent, everything rests on her shoulders—just where she likes it. “I’m a very hands-on agent,” Tartaglia said. “You can’t beat that. It’s part of not having a team. Everything is on me and paying attention to the details. There are so many moving parts and I do my best to under promise and over deliver.”
That mantra has vaulted Tartaglia to top-shelf status among 3,000 realtors in the Omaha area as she has focused
most of her efforts the past few years in bustling Elkhorn and west Omaha, with some attention focused on other high-growth areas such as Bennington, Gretna, Papillion, and Millard. For Tartaglia, there is no substitute to being on the streets and in the know about the housing market, the financial landscape of ever-shifting interest rates, and working with the best mortgage lenders and other partners to help her clients make their moves.
“I don’t know how much good you can do for your client when you haven’t been out looking at properties,” Tartaglia said. “You need to be out in it and talking to people and seeing properties. I love looking at houses. I love showing houses. It’s funny, buyers will say, ‘I feel like we’re wasting your time, we’re look-
ing at all these houses.’ My response is, ‘I know the industry because I’m looking at these houses all the time.’ I’m happy to do that. You can be a good agent, but you can’t be an exceptional agent if you don’t have all the tools in your toolbox.”
Tartaglia has added a couple of power tools to her business model that have taken her business to new heights. One connection is Oakley Properties investor Jason Woodward, who refurbishes often-disheveled houses and “makes them beautiful so another person can love the house that maybe wasn’t loved so much for a while,” Tartaglia said. “We’ve seen some dire properties, and you think, ‘how is this ever going to get turned around? How is anybody going to be able to enjoy it?’ But he does it.”
Tartaglia covers the other end of
Working on a home listing
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the housing spectrum as the exclusive realtor for custom homebuilder Andre Knutson of Lifetime Structures Luxury Homes. “He’s such a visionary, and what he builds is very unique,” she said, noting Knutson’s sweet spot of $800,000 to $4 million homes. “If I have a buyer who is looking to build a custom home in this area, I connect the two of them and see if it’s a good fit. I know they’re in good hands.” Tartaglia’s work with Knutson has taken her back to her roots in Elmwood, Nebraska, where she worked in her parents’ small-town lumberyard. “I grew up helping my dad and brother unload train cars of lumber and going with my dad to pick up paint, lumber, and hardware,” Tartaglia said. “Andre is also from generations of builders, so it’s in our blood.”
Tartaglia and her husband, retired dentist Brian Zuerlein, moved into another realm of ownership six years ago when they opened The WestEnd
Cocktails and Appetizers establishment in Elkhorn. “Z,” as Tartaglia calls her husband, is a foodie who works on the culinary end of the business and brings creativity to the concept and ambiance, while Tartaglia oversees staff and client relations. The high-end casual vibe for 35-to-80-year-olds creates the perfect place to host lunch-and-learns for mortgage lenders and gatherings for real estate teams. Many of Tartaglia’s clients visit, and she lands regular real estate deals by mixing it up with West End clientele. Those who know Tartaglia know that real estate is still her first love and passion. “We know our lane and we’re sticking to it,” she said. “It’s the same thing in real estate. There are so many shiny objects and so many “Squirrel!” moments. We just want to do the basics so well that clients have a great experience and want to use me again and refer me to people they know. That’s the greatest compliment you can have.”
ocated in the award-winning hotel, The Farnam, an Autograph Collection hotel in downtown Omaha, Dynamite Woodfire Grill serves wood-fired dishes redolent with smoke. Named for the explosive that helped forever change the landscape of America, this Omaha establishment serves a wide range of dishes from an open wood-fired grill in the heart of Omaha’s Old Market.
General manager Shane Lonowski brings over two decades of experience to the property, sharing his innate sense of hospitality with both staff and guests. According to Lonowski, the teams at both The Farnam and the adjoining Dynamite Woodfire Grill bring an exciting, vibrant energy to all they do. “Making both customers and team members a top priority over financial considerations means low turnover and high satisfaction,” he said.
Story by ANNA HARTMAN
Photos by DANIEL MULLER
That low turnover means a consistent staff can raise the standard of service, enhancing the dining experience from greeting to farewell. Kindness extends beyond the guest experience to staff in many ways, including offering family meal—a meal typically provided to restaurant staff before a shift, which is offered to staff throughout the entire hotel.
Mark Budler, director of food and beverage, brings both front and back of house experience together in a unique meld. Menus highlight local ingredients at their peak, and local purveyors such as Shadow Brook Farms/Dutch Girl Creamery, Long Walk Farms, eCreamery Ice Cream and H. Olafsson Specialty Foods enjoy exposure to hotel guests and diners from near and far.
The dining room features playful art and rustic details, blending modern design with a touch of unexpected charm. Both Lonowski and Budler describe the vibe as ‘modern yet approachable, elevated yet inviting.’ Lonowski added, “The space truly reflects a story of local ingredients and bold flavors, from the dynamite explosion wood carving to the private dining room adorned with rescued beams from the M’s Pub fire in
2016. The charred aroma still lingering from the wood embodies the essence of Omaha and its rich local character.”
Diners can interact with grill cooks and then savor a quality protein cooked over a wood fire accompanied by ingredients sourced from local farms. Aside from the performance aspect of watching dishes cooked to order, bits of Omaha’s storied railroad history spark guest interest through the subtle telling of captivating stories. Lonowski further explained, “Hotels in the Autograph Collection have unique stories such as this hotel’s namesake Henry Farnam, who petitioned
Lincoln to get rail through Omaha instead of Kansas City, which changed the trajectory of the city forever.”
Restaurant diners are welcomed with fresh, hot complimentary cornbread while they peruse the menu. Prime beef cuts, raised and butchered within 200 miles of Omaha from purveyors such as Piedmontese and Morgan Ranch Beef are fired on the wood grill and served with house made classic sauces such as bearnaise, chimichurri, and red-wine demi-glace.
The menu is constantly changing to highlight the best the ingredients have
to offer. According to Lonowski, diner favorites include sustainably-sourced seafood options such as miso wild salmon and red snapper as well as the dramatic presentation of a Tomahawk steak. “We like to put a unique, fun twist on the menu without trying too hard—we don’t overthink things, just use pure honest simple ingredients cooked from scratch with pride,” he continued.
The food is paired with a bevy of unique beverages. Budler shared, “We
wanted the beverage program to be unlike anything else: unique recipes, no premade mixes—all syrups and garnishes made in house. Just like the food, the beverage menu is seasonal, inspired by holidays and what’s happening around town.”
An award-winning wine program of over 400 bottles highlights a special wines by the glass list using patented Coravin technology that keeps wines fresh for weeks, enabling oenophiles to
try rare and unique wines without committing to a full bottle.
The team is excited about an upcoming custom Buffalo Trace bourbon barrel project as well as the opportunity to offer rare whiskey bottles from The Last Drop. At bottling, a bit of each barrel from sought-after whiskies is melded together to create unique “infinity bottles.” The beverage menu also highlights local beers and a handcrafted mocktail experience for those guests choosing not to imbibe.
Lonowski expressed great pride in being a part of a locally-owned establishment, giving credit to owners Jason and Angie Fisher for fostering an environment not only focused on guest and employee success but invested in community.
The Care Management team at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE) is dedicated to meeting members where they are in their health and well-being journeys. From helping members manage chronic illnesses to connecting them with community resources, the team ensures support is always within reach.
For Stephanie Morton, supervisor of nurse care management and care coordination at BCBSNE, this work is personal. A nurse with over 16 years of experience, Morton built a career centered on caring for others. “I’ve worked in various roles to get to where I am today, including in the neonatal intensive care unit, clinical research, and as an OB/GYN nurse,” she said. “I joined Blue Cross in 2017 as a nurse health coach, transitioned to a nurse case manager and ultimately became a supervisor of our Care Management team.”
Story by EDGE CONTRIBUTOR
In recent years, BCBSNE expanded the member-facing team to include community health workers, licensed clinical social workers and licensed mental health practitioners alongside nurse care managers. The additions highlight the company’s commitment to addressing the physical, mental and social aspects of health and well-being. “I’ve always told our members that I’ve done my job if insurance is the least of your worries when you’re going through a difficult time,” Morton said.
According to BCBSNE’s Nurse-Supported Care Programs webpage, care managers support and guide members to better health. “It’s not just a medical or benefit aspect,” Morton said. “We’re focusing on our members’ home life, assisting them within the community, and getting them in contact with the resources to ensure they’re successful and have the best outcomes possible.”
Morton’s team actively engages with their communities, building relationships with local leaders and learning about available programs and resources for BCBSNE members. This approach allows the Care Management team to quickly connect members with the right people and services when needs arise.
By staying involved in the communities they serve, the team embodies
BCBSNE’s mission to champion the health and well-being of its members, meeting individuals where they are and fostering connections that make a difference.
In addition to being a resource for community programs that can improve daily life, the Care Management team supports members with chronic disease management, major life events, traumatic injuries, and more. “If we can do some of the legwork on the back end and collaborate with various teams at Blue Cross, it makes it easier on our members,” Morton said. “Educating members about their illness, helping with medication management, and identifying lifestyle changes they can make helps us improve the quality of life and overall health of our members.”
The Care Management team is available as a resource to all BCBSNE members and is happy to help with most aspects of a member’s health and well-being. “At Blue Cross, we’re more than just an insurance company,” Morton said. “I like to think of the Care Management team as the cherry on top, if you will, with all of the extra personalization we provide.”
Learn more at NebraskaBlue.com/ Member-Services/Getting-Care
Award-winning west Omaha establishment Square Donut has been delighting donut lovers for five years, so it is no surprise Elizabeth Pooley has heard more than her share of square jokes, idioms, and puns. The enthusiastic bakery owner is amused by them all, but her favorite remains ‘we don’t cut corners,’ an idiom that proves both clever and useful for a shop that sells square-shaped sweets.
Embracing that mentality by avoiding short cuts and going above and beyond for customers and staff has guided Pooley toward success. Five years is a significant length of time for a specialty food business to remain profitable in this landscape, and the team at Square Donut has navigated the natural ups and downs with positivity and joy.
The birth of Square Donut was simple: finding herself in an empty nest, Pooley, a self-described sugar-averse serial entrepreneur decided it was time to devote energy toward her own pursuits. While mulling several ideas, she sampled a unique donut given to her by a friend from Alabama in early 2018. Unable to
Story by ANNA HARTMAN
get the tasty delight out of her mind, she discovered the business was for sale, and ultimately bought the recipe and equipment with an eye toward shaping a future business.
After letting the notion simmer, Pooley opened Square Donut in March 2020 with the help of her son, Jack. Within days, a global pandemic shut everything down, but eventually, the little donut business triumphed. Pooley still expresses amazement at the support, sharing, “I had a very specific vision, and Omaha was so supportive and accepting of it— the community took it on and made it successful. The other day I got 700 likes on a social media post, which just blew my mind.”
One of Pooley’s primary goals was to rewrite the narrative on an old school kitchen culture that failed to value recip-
rocal communication or mutual respect. “I work hard to ensure my team knows they are part of the blueprint as the store grows. They have an active role in invention, feedback, and collaboration.”
The atmosphere in the shop on a busy morning provides a welcome adrenaline boost to the team. “I love to call it happy chaos—all the cogs are in place, the wheels are spinning, and it appears very well executed from the public perspective…pans of donuts lifted overhead, to the left, to the right, it’s a seamless dance,” Pooley described.
In addition to the obvious difference in shape, Pooley’s vision includes elevating the donut itself to a more boutique or couture offering—she describes it as “the Gucci of donuts.” Square Donut was one of the first donut shops in town to tackle custom donuts and to take preorders,
providing another level of service to customers.
According to Pooley, inspiration for the Donut of the Month comes from both food and random observations. For example, on the wall of a local restaurant she spied a black and white poster adorned with an old-fashioned font that reminded her of a whisky label, so the relentless creative immediately started experimenting with a whisky donut. She further describes her boundless creativity as, “Being in my head is exhausting. I have ideas spewing in my brain by the minute, so I keep a notebook handy to jot down ideas.”
Community is important to Pooley, so she and her family prioritize the support of local small business. To wit, her social media accounts frequently sing the praises of Omaha and Lincoln area estab-
lishments such as Block 16, Muchachos, Ooh de Lally, Cunninghams, Blue & Fly, and Karma Koffee. The Square Donut shop serves coffee from local roastery Hardy Coffee Co., and future collaborations with other business are in the works. “I love to call out these business on both a personal and professional level. It’s important to us to patronize and continue to lift up good business owners in the community.”
In 2023, Pooley published an inspirational business book titled From Scratch that describes the many challenges she and her team have overcome during the past five years of business, as well as the experiences that helped build the resilience to get to where she is today. After hitting the five-year milestone of being in business, it’s a story that tastes even sweeter.
The 2025 slate of Donuts of the Month features seasonal favorites:
• January: Apple Pie
• February: Chocolate Banana Cream
• March: Pistachio
• April: Chocolate Mint
• May: Crème Brulée
• June: Neapolitan
• July: Butter Beer
• August: Butterscotch
• September: Wedding Cake
• October: Smores
• November: Key Lime
• December: Eggnog
Kora Bingham is a people person. At age eight, she loves to volunteer and has a big heart for helping people. Her family has always volunteered, so it’s natural for her to jump in when she gets the chance. Bingham was recently appointed the at-large 2025 Ultimate International Miss Central States Princess, and she will compete for the first time in August at the Ultimate International Miss (UIM) pageant in Virginia Beach. She’s using her platform to bring more kindness into the world with her Kindness Crew challenges on Facebook and Instagram.
Edge: Where do you get your ideas for your Kindness Crew challenges?
Bingham: I have a big notebook and I write all these things down in that notebook. My dad helped me think of 10 things. The first challenge I did was writing letters to veterans. The second challenge was donating to foster care. I wanted to do things that would make people feel special.
Edge: You recently volunteered at the Ava’s Army Sugarplum Ball, which raised over $200,000 for pediatric cancer research. Why is that cause important to you?
Bingham: My cousin Tessa had leukemia when she was two years old. It hurt my heart. Now there’s a lot of people who are raising money for cancer research, and it fills my heart with kindness. It makes me full of gratitude.
Edge: Can you describe the pageant competition?
Bingham: There’s an interview on stage with questions. There will be a fun fashion gown. I already have my gown picked out. I think there’s going to be fitness too.
Edge: What do you think will be difficult about competing?
Bingham: The difficulty of it is having a lot of people watching you and you’re scared if you don’t win that crown, you might cry.
Edge: How does your family support you?
Bingham: They support me by bringing signs to my cheer competitions. It just supports me so much. And whenever I think of that, it gives me a good feeling. They help me by planning my upcoming event in February called the Kindness
Camp. It’s going to be at the Hilton Garden Inn West.
Edge: What is the Kindness Camp?
Bingham: It’s gonna be full of stations. The people who come will make kindness kits that we’ll donate. They will write love notes with something special about that person that they love. So sweet. It’ll make people feel really good. They will also make blankets for Endless Journeys, which is a hospice company. The blankets are for kids on hospice.
Edge: I know your mom inspired you to do this. What was it like to see your mom compete for Mrs. International Midwest?
Bingham: It was like a dream for me. I asked my brother to pinch me. It was really exciting to see Mom up there on the stage with a lot of her friends. It also was nice to have a lot of parties in Tennessee where the pageant was held.
Edge: What other activities are you involved in?
Bingham: I do cheer, basketball, and softball.
Edge: What do you enjoy doing with your friends in your free time?
Bingham: I like to play outside with my friends and go on play dates. Sometimes my mom takes us to Sephora or Target or maybe even an amusement park! I also like helping my friends. My next-door neighbor’s dad was raising money for the Open Door Mission with a lemonade stand, so I went over and helped.
Edge: What do you want to do in the future? Any big dreams?
Bingham: I want to be a police officer because they’re big leaders in our community and our lives.
Story by SHELLEY NOSBISCH
Photo courtesy of ABDI
UNLE
Omaha Bryan High School senior Abdirahman
Unle (Abdi) is a Nebraska Class A 113-pound state wrestling champion with Olympic dreams, yet Unle never intended to be a wrestler. In seventh grade he had planned to join cross country, but his cousin, a wrestling coach, asked him if he’d be interested in joining wrestling. “At first I was iffy because the only wrestling I knew was WWE, and I stopped watching that after I figured out it was fake,” he said. “But when the season started, I came up. I still was iffy about it, but I was promised McDonald’s if I came back the next day, so I came back. After that wrestling became something I enjoyed and an excuse to get off my bed.”
Unle broke Bryan’s 24-year drought to become the school’s first state wrestling champion since 2000. According to Jason Susnjar, Omaha Bryan head wrestling coach, “Abdi is a 3-time state medalist for us. He finished fifth, second, and first. What is truly unbelievable is he started in the 7th grade. He is ranked nationally in the top 10 from two different publications. Abdi helped our team qualify for the State Duals which was a first in our school’s history. Our team finished eighth this year, which was the first time we finished in the top 10 since 1985. It was a very special year for our team, and Abdi was a huge part of it.”
Although he was recruited by many Division 1
teams, such as Oregon State University, University of Nebraska—Lincoln, Northwestern University, and University of Virginia, he chose to commit to Nebraska. “They were all exciting places to be, but unfortunately, I couldn’t choose them all,” Unle said. “It felt like every school thought I was going there, and the decision was nagging at me every single day. But in the end, I decided to stay home. It was a fun, yet stressful experience.”
His path to the state championship hasn’t been easy. Unle gets his motivation and drive from his losses. “I don’t care for revenge, but making up those losses would be nice. The fact that I’ve lost before forces me to get better. Learning new things is fun for me.”
Unle’s parents are from Somalia, and he has 11 siblings. Undoubtedly, being the third child out of twelve has made it difficult to access the same resources other wrestlers receive. “An obstacle I deal with every day is that I can’t afford to buy all the gear I want or to go to every tournament. I can’t go to a nutritionist or have a wrestling room in my basement because it’s too expensive. But I overcome it by working with what I have.”
Wrestling for Omaha Bryan has been a joyful experience and even a family affair. “Most of them are related to me,” Unle said. “The coaches work with everybody on and off the mat. This team is probably one of the most diverse teams in the state. But by the end of their careers, they are on the winner’s podium.”
