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Sidney wrestlers have high hopes at Districts

Muggli, Robb among favorites to advance to state meet

While Sidney High School sent just one wrestler to the NSAA State Wrestling Championships last year with a host of others coming up one match short, the prospects for a more crowded bus to Omaha this time around are good.

With the Red Raiders having completed an outstanding regular season, which included an 11-0 record in duals, the post season is nigh upon us. The Raiders – and 11 other District B-4 teams – will travel to the Nelson Center at Chadron State College on Friday and Saturday. Seedings won’t be established until Friday afternoon an hour or so before the matches get underway at 4 p.m.

“Besides our top two (Michael Muggli and Derek Robb) everybody else is on the brink,” said Raiders head coach John Ganser. “Most of the others will be around the fourth to sixth seeds so we’re hoping to get a few upsets.”

The Raiders are led by the senior Muggli (36-4), the lone state qualifier last season. He is favored to return to the dance for his fourth straight season. He finished one match short of a state medal last season after dropping his final match in triple overtime.

According to the latest rankings from the Nebraska Scholastic Wrestling Coaches Association, Muggli is ranked third in the state in Class B at 145 pounds. Muggli’s path to a district championship won’t be easy, however.

Sitting just above him on the the state rankings is district adversary Walker Johnson of Alliance. Brian Messersmith of Cozad, who has been ranked No. 1 at 145 all season, has moved up to 152 where he is still top-ranked.

Muggli has dropped a pair of decisions to Johnson already this season. At Cozad, he lost by the slimmest of margins, 5-4. At the Sidney Invite, Muggli dropped a 5-1 decision. Should Muggli and Johnson meet in the finals, it will be a match not to miss.

At 138, Robb is ranked sixth in Nebraska Class B. Robb has blown through his freshmen season at a remarkable 38-0. But, he too will have a tough path to the top step of the podium at Chadron. Salem Harsh of Scottsbluff is ranked fifth. If these two get together, be sure and find a good seat. It should be a great match.

“Harsh and Derek haven’t faced each other this year so it’s going to be a matter of watching his early matches on Friday and Saturday to learn as much as we can,” Ganser said. “For them it’s going to be the same thing. They’ll be watching us.”

Aside from Sidney’s two ranked grapplers, there are several others who have had a strong season who could qualify.

Unfortunately, senior Kane Taylor sustained an injury against Bridgeport and is out for the season. He stood a very good chance of qualifying for state at 220. Even worse is that he will likely miss the entire track season.

Kaden Vowers had piled up 31 wins in his freshman season at 106 pounds. Chadron’s Daniel Goings and Scottsbluff’s George Hernandez are the two top favorites, but there is still room on the podium for Vowers.

“Every district has a few weight classes that are particularly tough and 106 is one of them,” Ganser said. “The talent level is also very deep at 152 and 160.”

Zach Borges has hopes of a seat on the Omaha bus at 152. He’s won 26 of his 39 matches this season. It doesn’t help that Messersmith has moved up. Patraic Hays will be wading through the deep waters at 160.

At 126 pounds, Jack Fedderson is up 20 pounds from his fighting weight last season, but he still managed a better than .500 record at 18-16. Though Dominic Beyer has had an outstanding season at 285 with a record of 30-10, he’s a possible fourth seed and will have to be on his game to get through.

Freshman Colton Peckham will carry the banner for Sidney at 113. He’s had a strong season compiling a mark of 25-13 and is among the many with a chance to make state.

“The 113 weight class could be very interesting,” Ganser said.

The battle for 132 pounds will be joined by another freshman Brett Jaggers. He has put together an 18-17 match record this year. Coach Ganser considers the 132 class wide open with any number of wrestlers capable of earning a podium spot.

Among the other Raiders fighting for a trip to state will be Coby Haas (160), Kade Price (182), Brandon Lulf (195) and Cody Hofrock (220).

“If we can cut out some of the critical mistakes, especially with some of the younger guys, we could have a good day,” Ganser said.

 

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