By Allison Peck | North Platte Post/Sandhills Post
Listen to the full interview with Jake Nekuda on our Kubota Podcast Page.
North Platte, Neb. - When you walk into the wrestling room on practice night, you might expect intensity, grit, and determination — and you’ll find all that. But you’ll also find laughter, encouragement from every corner, and a family-like bond that stretches far beyond the wrestling mat.
All of it traces back to one person: Coach Jake Nekuda, this month’s Community Hero for Kids. Nekuda doesn’t coach for recognition; he coaches for the kids.
“I’m definitely not one that likes to have my name out there,” he said. “I don’t do it for any kind of recognition. It’s just for the kids.”
Still, the community has seen the difference he’s making, and this month, thanks to Prairie Friends and Flowers, he’s being celebrated for his impact.
308 Wrestling Academy wasn’t born from a grand plan. It began with a handful of high school boys doing offseason tournaments. Nekuda organized practices to help them improve, and the teens asked for a team name. They settled on “308” to represent the region. When girls’ wrestling season rolled around, Nekuda — the only coach working with girls in the area — welcomed anyone interested, and the program quickly took off.
“I went from three girls to almost 200 people signed up,” he said. “On the girls’ side, I think we have 60 or 70 different girls who come in. It grew fast — really fast.”
Part of that growth is due to accessibility. Everything is free. There are no registration or practice fees, and the program relies on fundraisers and donations to cover expenses.
“We even bought about 25 pairs of wrestling shoes thanks to a big donation from Bullseye Electric,” Nekuda said. “I don’t want kids to miss out because of money. It’s about giving them a place to go.”
Girls wrestling in Nebraska is a growing sport, but only recently has it taken root in Western Nebraska high schools. For Nekuda, seeing his daughter and other young athletes thrive in the sport was a driving motivation.
“I always had in the back of my mind, maybe when she gets older and doesn’t want to wrestle boys anymore, she’ll stop,” he said. When girls wrestling gained traction statewide, Nekuda stepped in, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Parents who were once unsure quickly became believers.
“If you can get through what wrestling demands,” he said, “everything else in life is easy. Practice is hard. Tournaments are hard. Matches are hard. But it’s incredibly rewarding.”
The academy is more than just a place to wrestle. Nekuda treats his athletes like his own children, fostering an environment where everyone supports one another. Older girls mentor younger ones, and newcomers are welcomed immediately. At tournaments, other teams notice the 308 difference.
“We were told, ‘Do you know how we can tell 308 is in the room? Not because it says it on your shirts. Because everywhere we look, there’s 20 of your kids standing together cheering each other on.’”
While Nekuda coaches hard, he also cherishes the moments of joy and achievement. Watching wrestlers like Ambie Custard and Addison Arvdal win state titles has been especially memorable.
“It was amazing to see these kids take the opportunity and go find success,” he said. “Her dad came up and gave me a hug and said thank you. But it wasn’t about thanks. Just being part of their journey is incredible.”
The lessons aren’t one-way. Nekuda admits the girls have taught him a lot, too — to stay on his toes, to laugh in stressful moments, and to appreciate what he has.
“They’ve taught me to be thankful for what I do have,” he said. “When you see kids from all these different backgrounds, traveling long distances just to wrestle, you realize how fortunate you are.”
When asked what advice he’d give to someone looking to make a difference, Nekuda’s answer is simple: “Don’t expect anybody else to do it for you. If you want change, go be that change. Put the time in. Start somewhere. Build what you want to see.”
Jake Nekuda didn’t set out to build a 200-athlete academy or create a thriving girls wrestling program. He just showed up, day after day, invested in his athletes, and built a place where kids feel safe, welcomed, and supported. That is why he is this month's Prairie Friends & Flowers and the Post's Community Hero for Kids.
Each month, The North Platte Post and Prairie Friends & Flowers honor a Community Hero for Kids — someone who dedicates their time, talent, and heart to helping children thrive. From teachers and mentors to coaches and caregivers, these heroes represent the best of what community means.
Nominate our next Community Hero For Kids Here.