No foolin': Bison stay true through it all

Wednesday, April 1, 2020
McCook Bison proved they were among Nebraska’s best whether it was Kori Uerling (above) attacking the Woods Center courts for No. 3 in Class B last spring or Brynn Golden (below) earning All-State Choir honors.
R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — They’ve been quite the combination since singing that pre-school duet for graduation many years ago.

“I think it was Rockin’ Robin,” McCook High seniors Kori Uerling and Brynn Golden recalled on Monday.

Who knows when that next graduation arrives whether it’s May, June or even later this summer?

Courtesy Photo

“Mr. (Jeff) Gross said we will have one, even if it’s August,” the classmates agreed.

The prom dresses are all “bought and paid for” even if no knows whether McCook High’s annual prom will arrive this spring.

“If there’s one message, we would say don’t take your four years for granted,” Uerling said. “We have certainly learned that.”

McCook senior Brynn Golden (right) shared smiles with doubles partner Olivia Koetteras they teamed to go undefeated in Bison JV tennis matches last spring.
Courtesy Photo

“We miss our classmates so much,” they added. “Even the annoying ones.”

No matter what happens these next few months, the McCook Bison connection will surely remain strong as these seniors follow different paths.

Uerling will soon be moving on to Bryan School of Nursing in Lincoln where she’ll join older sister Morgan.

McCook Kori Uerling (14, right) was a top pitcher on McCook’s subdistrict championship softball team where all these Bison teamed for one huge finals win over host Gothenburg.
R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

“I might have to find an apartment near some tennis courts,” she said.

McCook Bison tennis has led to a lot of great memories and victories for Kori. She teamed with Bison alum Riley Hansen to win three Class B state tennis matches and place third overall last spring.

Tennis will forever remain strong with Golden while getting ready to pursue a neurosience major at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Some of her best Bison moments were joining good friend Olivia Koetter to go undefeated in JV doubles last spring.

“I finally made the (varsity) cut this spring,” she said just before seeing the 2020 season basically wiped out.

Or is it? Brynn’s uncle Matt Wiemers — also known to be McCook’s tennis coach — isn’t letting that happen just yet.

“Coach has been scheduling zoom meetings just so we (tennis players) can see other and chat,” the two seniors explained. “And if we’re able to meet, we might play in a big Cornhusker Games tournament or something down the road.”

“Coach is so great. He cares about as people beyond tennis,” Uerling added. “No matter what, we know we have a friend in Weems.”

That’s just one of many reasons why neither will say “I’m leaving McCook forever” in a few months.

“I’d love to come back here and start a practice,” Kori declared about future goals after studying psychiatric nursing at Bryan. “I love McCook.”

Sister Morgan will graduate from Bryan in 2021, but now all the siblings and pets have also returned to McCook.

“I might be staying around Omaha, but I’d like a job where I can travel and help other hospitals,” Brynn added. “Wherever I can help.”

A genuine attitude that both have always seen in their teammates and classmates.

“Kori’s helpful and genuine,” Brynn said. “She’s always been fun to be around.”

“What I’ve always seen with Brynn is she’s super passionate,” Kori explained. “No matter what we are doing, she knows there’s a reason behind it and gets it done.”

Both will probably happy about not seeing see the Grand Island Central Catholic duo who confronted that Uerling-Hansen team at state semifinals last spring.

“They were both about 6’ tall and looked like twin sisters,” Kori recalled. “They didn’t agree with calls much. We needed a line judge.”

In that mode, let’s fire some rocket-shot questions for both Bison to return:

Or maybe an easy lob or two...favorite fuzzy friends besides a tennis ball?

“I love cats. I have a two and now three with Zena who moved in with Morgan,” Kori said. “She hides under the bed a lot, but she’s a good cat.”

“I like dogs. We have Heidi, a border collie, and Scooter is a 15-year-old Yorkie mix,” Brynn revealed. “Scooter wasn’t supposed to live much three. He has trouble with his legs, but he’s a great dog.”

“I even remember Scooter,” Kori recalled.

Great achievements besides tennis?

“Being captain of the dance team taught me about leadership the last two years,” Kori said. “And of course, softball. I love softball and it has a little more serious vibe than tennis.”

Kori helped McCook reach the 2018 Class B state tourney where those Bison upset No. 1 Elkhorn South.

Last fall, she threw all six scoreless innings in a subdistrict finals win over host Gothenburg.

Meanwhile, Brynn’s earned everything from all-state (choir) to All-American in cheer.

“Cheerleading has helped me kind of come out of my shell,” she said. “Speak out for what I believe and stand up for people.”

A point which leads to their final strong statement:

“Be true to yourselves,” they both concluded. “Don’t change for people. Stay with what you believe.”

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