Robb brings first state title home to Sidney since 1999

OMAHA – When Derek Robb was in the second grade, a flyer from the Sidney Wrestling Federation arrived at the family home.

Young Derek liked the idea of wrestling so much he asked his father, Chuck, if he could join. As the worn-out old cliche goes, the rest is history – or more accurately – history in the making.

At precisely 3:43 p.m. CST on Saturday, in front of a live television audience and 11,133 boisterous fans who paid their way into the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Robb became the first Sidney High School wrestler in 16 years to win a state championship. Robb took the title in Class B at 138 pounds at the NSAA State Wrestling Championships by defeating Andrew Null of Plattsmouth, 8-5, and finished his season with a record of 45-0.

"That's quite a start for your high school career with the record he's got and winning a state championship," said Red Raiders' head coach John Ganser. "He's got a lot of character and works hard and does things the right way."

Meanwhile, senior Michael Muggli (41-7) concluded his Sidney High wrestling career by passing Ryan Roach for second on the all-time Red Raiders' career win list with 122. Muggli accomplished his impressive win total despite missing a good portion of his freshman season to a football injury. Steven Vach heads the wins list with 139 victories.

Muggli's stellar career also included four straight trips to state. He won two of his four matches over the weekend and fell just one match short of a medal for the second straight season. Muggli was eliminated by Karson Sok of Grand Island Northwest, 6-2, in the heartbreak round on Friday evening.

Robb and Muggli were joined in Omaha by freshmen state qualifiers Colton Peckham (113) and Kaden Vowers (106), who last week finished third at the District B-4 tournament at Chadron State College.

While both failed to medal at state, the young pair are emblematic of the Raiders' potential for a bright future. Vowers finished his season at 35-10 – including a 1-2 record at state – while Peckham went 26-16 after dropping a pair of matches in Omaha.

As for Robb, he began his run to a championship with a 49-second pin over Levi Heilig (16-14) of Boys Town on Thursday. Later that day, Robb advanced to the semifinals by pinning Cody Lambert (39-5) of Ashland Greenwood in 3:29.

He waited around much of Friday before meeting Kyle Francois (41-6) of Nebraska City. After a hard-fought battle, Robb sent Francois to the consolation bracket with a 9-5 win.

Surrounded by a crush of media, which included television cameras, clicking photographers and dozens of media personnel clad in NSAA yellow vests, the Sidney freshman began his final day of the 2015 state championships in the procession of finalists.

Amid flashing lights, ear-splitting music and the deafening roar of more than 11,000 screaming wrestling fans, Robb strolled out with the 27 other Class B finalists in characteristic nonchalance.

Following a well-received rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner," the finals began with the 132-pounders of all four classes wrestling simultaneously on the four mats. Before Robb could begin his quest, he would have to wait for all the champions of 132 to be determined.

"I was hoping for early pins on those 132s and wanting for them all to hurry up so we could get out there and wrestle," Robb said. "I was ready to go."

BY THE NUMBERS

45

Number of wins this season by Sidney High wrestler Derek Robb – a new school record. Jeff Hume held the old mark of 38 set in the 1993-'94 season.

36

Number of victories by pin for Derek Robb this season – demolishing the old school record of 28.

100+

Number of people who turned out to welcome home Sidney's four state qualifiers – Kaden Vowers, Colton Peckham, Michael Muggli and Derek Robb – in a procession from I-80 to a ceremony at the high school on Sunday.

139

Number of career wins by Steven Vach, the most in Sidney history.

123

Career wins by senior Michael Muggli, who moved into second place on Sidney's all-time wins list at the state championships. He passed Ryan Roach and his 122 career victories.

896

Number of wrestlers in all four classes who competed at the Nebraska state wrestling championships over the weekend.

43,811

The three-day attendance at the wrestling championships held at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha.

11

Dual-meet victories by the Red Raider wrestlers this year to establish a school record.

0

Number of dual-meet losses by the Sidney wrestlers this season.