McCook matmen go 1-1 against Kansas squads

OBERLIN, Kan. -- McCook High School's varsity wrestlers split a pair of dual meets with northwest Kansas squads at Decatur Community High School in Oberlin, Kan. Tuesday evening.

The Bison beat the host Decatur Community Red Devils 48-31 and lost a 42-24 decision to Phillipsburg.

Five McCook wrestlers won both matches at Tuesday's competition, including Clayton Korus (103 pounds), Jesus Gauna (112), Nate Morgan (119), Rusty Sullivant (135) and Skyler Kalinski (145). Jake Fahrenbruch (125), Keldon Osterman (140), Jeff Phelps (160) and Ross Stewart (285) each won one match.

McCook head coach Nick Umscheid said his team turned in a strong effort Tuesday.

"Our wrestlers competed very well in both duals in the matches that were contested," Umscheid said. "Even though we lost the team score against Phillipsburg, our guys won some very tough close matches. Phillipsburg has a very solid team and our guys rose to the occasion and knocked off some very tough wrestlers last night.

"We gained the early momentum in the dual, but were not able to obtain enough bonus points early on to hang on to the team score. That's going to happen when you face the tougher dual teams. It was nice to see that we were able to wrestle well against one of the stonger Kansas teams in the region.

"In the Oberlin dual, we once again were able to gain the early lead and momentum and Oberlin had a few open weight classes also, so that helped us win in the team score. I think our guys improved from their performance last Saturday in North Platte. They knew that both of these duals were going to be a challenge and they accepted that challenge head on and weren't afraid to put it on the line."

McCook's junior varsity wrestlers are scheduled to compete at Gothenburg Thursday starting at 3 p.m. The Bison varsity team returns to Kansas Saturday for the Norton Invitational at Norton High School. First-round matches are set to begin at 9:30 a.m. Coach Umscheid expects a very competitive meet Saturday.

"We need to carry the momentum and confidence that we have built this week going into Saturday's tournament in Norton," he said. "This will be one of our toughest tournaments we face this year, and it will be a good indicator of just how much we have improved over the holiday break and it will also tell us where we need to improve for the rest of the season."

DOUBLE DUAL WRESTLING MEET

Tuesday at Oberlin, Kan.

Team Scores

McCook 48, Decatur Community 31

Phillipsburg 42, McCook 21

McCook Individual Records

103 pounds -- Clayton Korus 2-0

112 -- Jesus Gauna 2-0

119 -- Nate Morgan 2-0

125 -- Jake Fahrenbruch 1-1

130 -- Kyle Groshong 0-2

135 -- Rusty Sullivent 2-0

140 -- Keldon Osterman 1-1

145 -- Skyler Kalinski 2-0

152 -- Austin Swartz 0-2

160 -- Jeff Phelps 1-1

189 -- Nick Alberts 0-2

285 -- Ross Stewart 1-1