Sidney wrestlers capture title at Western Trails event

HEMINGFORD – With the help of three individual champions in Michael Muggli (145), Derek Robb (138) and Kaden Vowers (106), the Sidney Red Raiders won the Western Trails Conference wrestling meet by a substantial margin over eight other schools on Thursday.

The Red Raiders scored 260.5 points with Bayard (206) and Mitchell (203) rounding out the top three.

In addition to the three weight-class champions, Sindey piled up the team points with the help of 11 top-three placings. Colton Peckham (113), Jack Feddersen (126) and Kane Taylor (220) all finished runner up. Taylor earned his placing with a pin over teammate Cody Hofrock, who also had a solid day by finishing third at 220.

"I believe that our kids took a step forward today," said Red Raiders head coach John Ganser. "But at the same time we still have major work to do."

In addition to Hofrock's third, four other Raiders finished their day on the podium. The additional bronze winners included Coby Haas (152), Zach Borges (160), Patrick Hays (171) and Dominic Beyer (285).

Muggli breezed through his weight class with five wins including four pins. The Sidney senior opened his day with a 21-5 technical fall over Bridgeport's Logan Coalson. He then proceeded to pin Dalton Harter of Bayard (1:47) and Zane Hamilton of Gordon-Rushville (3:14). In the championship match at 145, Muggli dropped Mitchell's Cody Mueller in 48 seconds.

"I've wrestled these guys before and felt pretty confident I could win all my matches today," said Muggli, who earned his 99th career win in the championship match. "I thought today would be a good opportunity to work on a few things."

Muggli woke up Thursday morning a little more than a pound over weight. To burn it off, he worked out on the near two-hour bus ride to Hemingford. He kept up the workout after the team filed into the gym. As a result, his early form was off.

"I was pretty sluggish in the first match, but I felt better in the later ones," Muggli said.

Robb (19-0) kept his perfect record intact this season as he pinned all five of his opponents. Robb's longest match of the day was just 3:12 as he dropped Bayard's Lucas Jones in the second period. None of Robb's other four opponents survived past the first period.

"I don't think about how many wins I have or what my record is," Robb said. "I just try to focus on the match in front of me. I respect everyone I face. It only takes one false move and you could lose in a second."

Vowers had little difficulty in breezing through his five matches. He earned four pins and won his semifinal match by a major decision (8-0) over Bayard's Mitch McKibbon. He met McKibbon again in the championship match and pinned him in 2:39.

"Kaden was especially impressive in his performance," Ganser said.

The time off for the Raiders will be brief as they travel to Ogallala on Saturday where Muggli will try to earn his 100th career victory. The matches are scheduled to get underway at 9 a.m.