Unbeaten Bison to state semis; faces last foe to beat him

OMAHA, Neb. — The McCook Bison are ready for tonight’s “primetime lights” whether it’s coach Nick Umscheid’s colorful outfit or senior Tristan Campbell with his 41-0 record.

“Oh yeah, it should turn a lot of heads,” Umscheid proclaimed about his style for the state semifinal round in Omaha’s CHI Health Center.

Umscheid normally makes at least one state semis appearance with Bison, and T.C. has advanced after two impressive wins on Thursday.

Campbell pits his perfect 144-pound record against Ralston junior Greg Grandel (38-5) for a chance to advance into the Class B finals on Saturday.

Semifinals begin tonight at 6 p.m.

Yet here’s another interesting note:

Grandel upset Campbell in last year’s Class B tourney — and Tristan has not lost in 46 matches since.

Remember, McCook’s recent Shrine Bowl football selection (along with teammate Oliver Corbett) has rumbled through every ensuing match last year for a Class B top three medal.

“He (Grandel) is a tough wrestler with only five losses, but we feel real good about our chances,” Umscheid told KICX Radio voice Rich Barnett. “Tristan is wrestling at a very high level and is no stranger to the state tournament. He’s assured to be a four-time state medalist which is nothing to take lightly...

“But Tristan has bigger goals than that this year, I think,” N.U. added.

Campbell conquered Auburn senior Crew Gulzia (22-17 record) to start state on Thursday, then took a Tristan vs. Tristan quarterfinal from Syracuse junior Tristan Sisco (40-16).

“He beat the Auburn kid handily and handled the Syracuse one as well,” Umscheid confirmed.

Meanwhile, McCook’s other two state qualifiers ran into tougher tests.

Returning state finalist and sophomore John White built a 6-1 lead, but one bad move cost his 126-pound match with Alliance soph Jett Childers (44-10).

“It looked like we were in control, just unfortunate he got caught in a move and put on his back,” Umscheid observed. “But tomorrow’s a new day, you can’t dwell on losses and refocus, I think John’s setting up pretty well on the consolation side.”

White’s record stands at 34-9 as he begins his consolation comeback attempt today.

Meanwhile, senior Gabe Roberts started his second state tourney with a rough 190-pound loss to Norris junior Ryan Schoenbeck who’s now 41-7.

“We knew going in that Gabe probably had the toughest first-round match,” N.U. revealed. “That Norris kid is no slouch, no joke. Gabe gave everything he had and was very close to getting a throw and putting the kid on his back.”

“You never know what might happen after that,” he concluded.

Roberts (34-8) started consolation comeback attempt today vs. Wahoo senior Jace Styskal (24-19).