Reigning state champs host big weekend

McCook’s Elsa Wilcox (above) teamed with Jadie Stevens to dominate the No. 2 doubles at a North Platte JV tennis tournament on Thursday. The Bison varsity tennis girls are playing in McCook today and Saturday.

Gayl Korus/For The Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — Most prom dances barely match the entertainment level of McCook’s top couple stepping into tennis matches this season.

There’s the bouncy non-stop energy of Cassidy Beeby on one side paired with an all-business approach from Syd Thompson who would usually rather be reading a good book.

“They are fun to watch,” coach Matt Wiemers said as the defending Class B state champs are building great records again this spring. “We call Syd ‘the Stoic German’ because she shows almost no emotion. Cassidy’s quiet, but she is super aggressive and full of energy.”

“It’s a great match. Sid handles the baseline (shots) and sets up Cassiddy to attack the net,” he added.

The seniors enter today’s home duals against Scottsbluff and Alliance with a No. 1 doubles record of 15-2.

On Saturday, all the best Bison will play several matches during a McCook Invitational starting at 10 a.m. behind McCook High School.

Junior Kassidy Michaelis hasn’t lost a step since moving up to No. 1 singles this season. She now owns a 65-match going back to the 2016 state finals — and 21-0 this season.

“And Kassidy’s had some great wins. Three over the Lexington girl she played in the (No. 2 singles) state finals last year,” Wiemers observed.

Senior Haley Potthoff’s posted a 14-4 record at No. 2 singles in her first “full-time” varsity season.

“I know Haley was bummed a little last year because she went to state but only as an alternate,” Wiemers revealed. “‘I’m super proud of how she has raised her game to another level. She had two quality wins against Kearney and Kearney Catholic (last week).”

Solid No. 2 doubles teammates Riley Hansen and Sid Stewart are 16-4 entering today’s action.

All those win totals can take a big jump along with the finally warmer spring temperatures.

Besides this home weekend, McCook will prepare for a Kearney Catholic Invite Thursday and Greater Nebraska Activities Conference (GNAC) tourney on Saturday, May 5.

It’s all leading to Lincoln and the possible Class B state title repeat.

“This team has the potential if they stay checked in and work on their games,” Wiemers concluded. Watch for more results next week.