It could be a while before Lincoln startup companies see another year like 2021.
People are also reading…
The 10 most-read stories of 2021 on JournalStar.com
'I think it’s ridiculous we’re at 48': John Cook pushes for late changes to NCAA Tournament
Two of the top volleyball coaches in the country are making a late push for a 64-team NCAA Tournament.
The entire tournament will be played in Omaha from April 13-24. The tournament selection show is just 12 days away.
Watch now: Hundreds show up for Josh fight in northwest Lincoln
Josh Swain, a college student from Arizona, challenged other Josh Swains on Facebook to a duel over their name, randomly picking Lincoln as the battleground. On Saturday, hundreds gathered in Air Park to watch them fight with pool noodles.
Josh fight
Watch Now: 'Little Josh' dubbed winner of the Battle of the Joshes in Lincoln; community also benefits from event
Josh fight
With one final swing of his red pool noodle, Josh Vinson Jr. — nicknamed “Little Josh” by the crowd — won the inaugural Battle of the Joshes on Saturday.
Hundreds of people — some from as far away as Washington and New Jersey — circled around him as a Burger King crown too big for the 4-year-old’s head fell to his shoulders. His dad — Josh Vinson Sr. — shouted “lift him up,” and a man proudly lifted Little Josh on his shoulders. The crowd cheered as Little Josh showed his championship belt.
Josh Swain (left), the originator of the Saturday's battle of Joshes, takes on another Josh as they decide the rightful owner of the name Josh via a game of rock-paper-scissors in Air Park.
Ryan Wall — a sophomore majoring in physics and theater at Nebraska Wesleyan University — became the public spokesperson for the event after a TikTok he created received 1.3 million views. He helped Swain by shopping for masks and other supplies.
Calling all Josh Swains: The battle for your name is taking place right here in Lincoln
Lincoln 4-year-old Josh Vinson Jr. was crowned the ultimate Josh in 2021. Another Battle of the Joshes is scheduled May 21.
Photos: Hundreds battle with pool noodles for the name Josh
Josh Fight 4.23
Multiple people named Josh fight with pool noodles last year in Air Park. What started as a mid-pandemic joke came to life, and now plans are in the works for a 2022 event.
Josh Fight 4.23
Josh Swain (left) declares Lincoln 4-year-old Joshua Vinson Jr. the ultimate Josh after Saturday's battle of Joshes in Air Park. What started as a mid-pandemic joke came to life, as a mixed bag of individuals sharing the name Josh came to battle it out with pool noodles.
Josh Fight 4.23
Multiple people with the name Josh duked it out with pool noodles last month in Air Park.
Josh Fight 4.23
A man going by Big Josh (middle) defends himself with pool noodles Saturday in Air Park.
Josh Fight 4.23
Multiple people with the name Josh duked it out with pool noodles Saturday in Air Park.
Josh Fight 4.23
Spectators not named Josh record the battle from the safety of the sidelines.
Josh Fight 4.23
A man going by Big Josh defends himself with pool noodles Saturday in Air Park.
Josh Fight 4.23
A man named Josh brought headgear to the battle.
Josh Fight 4.23
Hundreds gathered to battle it out to find out who is the rightful owner of the name Josh on Saturday in Air Park.
Josh Fight 4.23
Multiple people with the name Josh, and some not named Josh, duked it out with pool noodles to find out who is the rightful owner of the name on Saturday.
Josh Fight 4.23
Hundreds of people gathered with pool noodles and other foam weapons Saturday in Air Park to find out who is the rightful owner of the name Josh.
Josh Fight 4.23
Josh Swain (left), the originator of the Saturday's battle of Joshes, takes on another Josh as they decide the rightful owner of the name Josh via a game of rock-paper-scissors in Air Park.
Josh Fight 4.23
Josh Swain (left), the originator of the joke, takes on another Josh as they decide the rightful owner of the name Josh via a game of rock, paper, scissors Saturday in Air Park.
Josh Fight 4.23
Lincoln 4-year-old Josh Vinson Jr. was crowned the ultimate Josh in 2021. Another Battle of the Joshes is scheduled May 21.
Josh Fight 4.23
Lincoln 4-year-old Joshua Vinson Jr. (top right), is lifted into the air after being declared the ultimate Josh on Saturday in Air Park. What started as a mid-pandemic joke took on life Saturday, as a mixed bag of individuals sharing the name Josh came to battle it out with pool noodles. The winner was to be declared the rightful owner of the name Josh.
Josh Fight 4.23
Lincoln 4-year-old Joshua Vinson Jr. is crowned the ultimate Josh on Saturday in Air Park. What started as a mid-pandemic joke came to life Saturday, as a mixed bag of individuals sharing only their name came to battle it out with pool noodles.
Josh Fight 4.23
Multiple people with the name Josh, and some Josh imposters, duked it out with pool noodles Saturday in Air Park.
Josh Fight 4.23
Multiple people with the name Josh, and some Josh imposters, duked it out with pool noodles Saturday in Air Park.
Josh Fight 4.23
Multiple people with the name Josh, and some Josh imposters, duked it out with pool noodles Saturday in Air Park.
Josh Fight 4.23
Josh Swain, (bottom left) announces the end of the Josh fight Saturday in Air Park. What he started as a mid-pandemic joke came to life, as a mixed bag of individuals sharing only their name came to battle it out. The winner was to be declared the rightful owner of the name.
Josh Fight 4.23
A handmade plaque is presented to commemorate the battle of the Joshes after a pool noodle battle Saturday in Air Park.
Josh Fight 4.23
Multiple people with the name Josh duked it out with pool noodles Saturday in Air Park.
Josh Fight 4.23
Multiple people with the name Josh duked it out with pool noodles Saturday in Air Park.
Josh Fight 4.23
Multiple people with the name Josh, and some Josh imposters, duked it out with pool noodles Saturday in Air Park.
Josh Fight 4.23
Multiple people with the name Josh, and some Josh imposters, duked it out with pool noodles Saturday in Air Park.
Josh Fight 4.23
Others named Josh celebrate the victory of Lincoln 4-year-old Joshua Vinson Jr. (not pictured) after he was declared the ultimate Josh on Saturday in Air Park.
Calling all Josh Swains: The battle for your name is taking place right here in Lincoln
Josh Swain from Tucson, Arizona, is the Josh Swain, or so he claims.
He's not the only Josh Swain, though. Certainly not the first with that name, either. But he is likely the most famous Josh Swain in the world.
Josh Swain, a 22-year-old college student, challenged other Josh Swains on Facebook to a duel over their name, randomly picking Lincoln as the site.
The Scene: Frost's idea comes to fruition as Huskers exit team buses looking especially spiffy
The Nebraska football team begins the Unity Walk from the Selleck Quadrangle on Oct. 2, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
This gives new meaning to a team looking impressive as it comes off the bus.
Nebraska players exited team buses a couple of hours before Saturday night’s game looking especially spiffy.
Watch Now: Hundreds protest outside UNL fraternity after reported sexual assault
Hundreds of protesters converged on a University of Nebraska-Lincoln fraternity house Tuesday night after reports surfaced of an alleged sexual assault at the house.
The crowd organized outside of the Phi Gamma Delta house at 1425 R St. at 10 p.m. on Tuesday, chanting at the men inside, one of whom is alleged to have sexually assaulted a UNL student sometime Monday night.
Hundreds of protesters are shown outside Tuesday night at the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house, 1425 R St.
Here’s the video from inside the house, sent by multiple sources and airdropped a second time: pic.twitter.com/Xr9TAvwAot
— Andrew Wegley (@andrewwegley) August 25, 2021
Steven M. Sipple: McCaffrey's decision sparks serious discussions; and Georgia eyed Fisher
Things I know, and things I think I know (emergency midweek edition):
Well, it seems a lot of people think Nebraska football is in a state of emergency in the wake of another losing season followed by a rash of players jumping into the transfer portal.
Steven M. Sipple: The sad story of the end of Frost's tenure at NU may now be writing itself
Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts missed the Huskers' football game Saturday to attend his son's wedding.
Nebraska bull sells for $900K, setting record for second-highest-selling Angus in history
It’s not every day that an Angus bull sells for $900,000, but Danny Poss was not surprised.
