Successful panhandle trip for McCook tennis boys

STEVE KODAD

Gazette Sports Editor

SCOTTSBLUFF -- Label the McCook High School boys tennis team's trip to the panhandle Tuesday a successful business venture.

The Bison varsity won two important meets as the Class B-4 District meet on the schedule later this week. McCook topped Alliance 6-3 and won a 7-2 decision over host Scottsbluff.

Head coach Matt Wiemers said more important than the two wins was the fact that the Bison helped secure seeding positions for district play Friday at Lexington.

"We talked about this week's matches on Monday and how important it would be for us to build some momentum going into districts Friday," Coach Wiemers said. "They got the week started on a positive note Tuesday, sweeping both duals on the road."

McCook's Connor Larson at No. 1 singles and Nate Crick at No. 2 singles won both matches on Tuesday's road trip. Coach Wiemers said both his top singles players performed wll and won by convincing scores. Larson ran his perfect season record to 33-0 with one regular-season match remaining before districts. Crick upped his season mark to 14-10.

Wiemers said his No. 2 doubles team of Ethan Hardin and Cody Jankovits earned two key match victories Tuesday. The McCook coach said Hardin and Jankovits now own a 2-1 record against district foe Scottsbluff and a 2-0 record against Alliance, another B-4 District opponent.

"They played much better today than they did at conference last weekend," Wiemers said. "This will help build their confidence heading into districts.

"Overall, the team played well and it was nice to make the long trip back seem a lot shorter with the wins. Wednesday the team will finally get a day to practice and prepare for North Platte (at home) Thursday. This will be their final day of practice before district play as well."

The McCook varsity squad will host North Platte Thursday starting at 3:30 p.m. at the Senior High School courts. The Bison junior varsity squad was scheduled to compete in the Kearney JV Invitational Wednesday, a meet postponed Monday due to inclement weather.

McCook will join host Lexington plus Alliance, Hershey and Scottsbluff in the district competition Friday, with the top three finishers in each of the four singles and doubles divisions qualify for the Class B state meet at Omaha Oct. 15-16.

MCCOOK 6, ALLIANCE 3

Varsity singles results:

1. Connor Larson def J. Weishaar, 8-0.

2. Nate Crick def K. Kaping, 8-0.

3. Ethan Hardin def T. Sherlock, 8-4.

4. Cody Jankovits def K. Cummings, 8-6.

5. Tony Conroy lost to K. Kaping, 8-3.

6. Connor Palic lost to D. Weishaar, 9-8 (9-7).

7. Tristan Thomas lost to N. Griess, 8-2.

8. Drew Bredvick lost to K. Hill, 8-6.

Varsity doubles results:

1. Larson/Crick def Cummings/Sherlock, 8-3.

2. Hardin/Jankovits def Kaping/Weishaar, 8-3.

3. Conroy/Tristan Thomas lost to Weishaar/Kaping, 8-6.

4. Palic/Bredvick lost to Griess/Hill, 8-4.

MCCOOK 7, SCOTTSBLUFF 2

Varsity singles results:

1. Connor Larson def N. Goodwin, 8-2.

2. Nate Crick def P. Michele, 8-0.

3. Ethan Hardin def T. Briggs, 8-5.

4. Cody Jankovits def J. Haslam, 8-1.

5. Tony Conroy def J. Kerr, 8-4.

6. Connor Palic lost to K. Hertig, 8-6.

7. Tristan Thomas lost to J. Wiebe, 8-1.

8. Drew Bredvick def B. Wiebe, 8-4.

Varsity doubles results:

1. Conroy/Thomas lost to Briggs/Haslam, 8-3.

2. Hardin/Jankovits def Kerr/Hertig, 8-0.

3. Larson/Crick def Goodwin/Michele, 8-0.

4. Palic/Bredvick lost to Castellaw/Meister, 8-6.