What a weekend at state for Bison

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette Senior Eric Langan capture another Class B medal which included one of the state's first big wins over Ashland-Greenwood two-time state champion Trevor Nichelson. The two met again on Saturday (left) with Nichelson earning a revenge win, but Langan still improved from last year's finish by taking fourth among all Class B182-pounders.

OMAHA, Neb. -- Quite an impact describes what every McCook state qualifier delivered during last weekend's Class B wrestling championships.

Boom! Headlines were blasting from Omaha to Lincoln to caross Nebraska after senior Eric Langan upset two-time state champ Trevor Nicholsen from Ashland-Greenwood.

"Eric had a wild ride all the way from Thursday night when he blew the roof off the CenturyLink Center with his dramatic upset," coach Nick Umscheid confirmed as Langan knocked off Nichelson by a 13-7 final decision.

After losing his semifinal Friday evening, Langan fought back to edge 44-match winner Gavin Eason from Norris 5-4.

"Eric had to fight, scratch and claw through every victory," Umscheid observed.

Some might have expected a rough finale since Nichelson got another shot at Langan in Saturday's 182-pound consolation final.

Nichelson did score a 4:39 pin, but Langan scored points and certainly didn't go into high school wrestling "retirement" without one more great fight.

"Those three days were a roller coaster of emotions for Eric," his coach explained. "He handled with lots of poise and maturity for a young man."

Senior classmate Jaret Matson also showed his maturity following a tough overtime quarterfinal loss Thursday night.

Matson rallied for an impressive 10-6 win over Blair powerhouse pinner Carter Anderson.

"Jaret had a very tough draw coming back. He beat a very good wrestler from Blair who had more than 30 pins on the season."

Matson missed a state medal by one win but still finished as district champ along with three-time state qualifier. and medalist.

"Jaret definitely did his best wrestling at the end of the season," Umscheid commented.

Senior Dunncan Rogers (160) also finished strong when he earned his first state tournament while freshman Carson Rogers (106) triumphed to start what will hopefully be an annual trip these next three years.

"It wasn't an easy for Dunncan as he had to come from behind in his match and score two points in the final 30 seconds," Umscheid explained. "Many would be envious of his accomplishment as a two-time state qualifier. Something he should look back at and be proud."

Richards actually took wo wins to join Matson as Bison who needed just one more win for a state medal.

"Carson knows what he has to do. It's just a matter of fixing and improving a few things," the coach concluded.

Umscheid did add praise for his team's 49 total points which were just a "handful" from finishing in Class B's Top 10.