Bison golfers rolling back to state tournament!

McCook High’s golfers made some more history on Monday with their No. 2 team finish at the B-4 district tournament in Sidney. Coach Joe Vetrovsky (left) and the Bison earned a return trip to next week’s Class B state tournament after qualifying their entire team also in 2019

Courtesy Photo

SIDNEY, Neb. — The party went from graduation to a wonderful drizzly Panhandle Monday for McCook High boys' tennis.

No, that’s not a stretch considering the senior-led Bison are sending their entire team into next week’s Class B state tournament.

Senior Peyton Craw reached the B-4 district championship playoff, classmate Brady Esch took third overall and McCook placed second as a team behind only champion Ogallala.

The top three B-4 teams are automatic state qualifiers — so McCook’s boys will tee off at Elks Club Golf Course in Columbus one week from today.

All the practicing through last year’s horrific pandemic helped the Bison handle Monday’s pressure brilliantly.

“They managed the (Hillside) course well in a very competitive field of teams,” coach Joe Vetrovsky confirmed.

Both Craw and Esch continued shooting their best scores at the season’s best times.

Craw carded 73 on Monday and kept pace with Gothenburg sharpshooter Jake Scherer.

Though Scherer eventually won a title-deciding playoff, McCook took two of the top three places since Esch fired an excellent 74.

“Payton had a great day and was hitting on all cylinders throughout his round,” Vetrovsky proclaimed. “Brady also was hitting the ball exceptionally well today and was very solid with his short game.”

Senior Mason Michaelis followed with an 87 and junior Hunter Hansen totaled 92.

Both have often delivered better rounds, but it was more than enough for McCook to secure its state spot by 13 strokes over fourth-place host Sidney.

Ogallala, McCook and Alliance (331) advance to the Class B state tourney from B-4 play.

Jonas Somerville fired 96 on Monday to join McCook’s state traveling party. Watch for more details leading into the tourney.

Teams: 1. Ogallala 324, 2. McCook 326, 3. Alliance 331, 4. Sidney 339, 5. Gothenburg 340, 6. Cozad 345, 7. Scottsbluff 346, 8. Holdrege 349, 8. Broken Bow 349, 10. Chadron 356, 11. Lexington 383, 12. Gering 391.

Top 10 medalists/automatic state qualifiers: 1. J. Scherer, GOTH, 73; 2. Payton Craw, MC, 73; 3. Brady Esch, MC, 74; 4. L. Hiltibrand, OGA, 76; 5. C. Cyza, ALL, 76; 6. C. Murphy, OGA, 76; 7. E. Mins, LEX, 78; 8. B. Denson, Bow, 79; 9. C. Clarke, ALL, 79; 10. K. Broeker, HOLD, 79.