Stories from Thursday, May 12, 2022

OGALALLA, Neb. — Branson McDonald confirmed he’s never in a happier place than soaring more than 15 feet into the air at any track/field feet. Except if he’s clearing 15’9 1/2” or even 16’ at Omaha Burke Stadium next week. “That’s my dream since I was a freshman,” the McCook High senior about a chance to win a Nebraska All-Class Gold state medal next week. “And I’ve always wanted to get that school record (of 15’9 1/2”)...

McCOOK, Neb. — For someone who admittedly always hated school, Kimberlee Sweeney is proof that with the right motivation, a person can conquer all sorts of life’s obstacles. On her first day of kindergarten in Indianola, Sweeney came home from school and unenthusiastically told her mom the first day was, “Fine.”...

CULBERTSON, Neb. — The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that the 2022 McCook Area Educator of the Year Award, made possible by the Strunk Family, is Deb McCarter of Hitchcock County.   Deb has been an educator since 1978, earning a bachelor’s degree at Wayne State College and master’s degrees at Kearney State College and Chadron State College along the way. In 2007 Trenton and Culbertson Public Schools consolidated to form Hitchcock County Schools. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — A project costing nearly $1 million will take place over the summer at the McCook Junior High, but it won’t cost the school district a cent. The HVAC project will replace chillers and air handlers at the junior high gym and front office, at around $980,000. The cost is being funded by Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ESSER) the school district received, according to Jeff Gross, McCook Schools Business Manager...

Jeff William Kehr McCOOK, Neb. — Jeff William Kehr, 57, of McCook, died Dec. 24, 2021, at his home. Graveside memorial services are Saturday, May 14, 2022, 2 p.m., at the Oxford Cemetery, Oxford Neb. Memorials can be given in his name to the McCook Public Library, 802 Norris Ave, McCook NE 69001...

McCOOK, Neb. — Four McCook Community College softball players along with their coach Kevin Kaalberg have been honored with 2022 Region IX Division I post-season softball awards. MCC placed three sophomores and one freshman on the All-region IX team and Kaalberg was named the Region IX Coach of the Year on the strength of the team’s first ever Region IX regular season championship as well as the Region IX post-season tournament championship...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Community College softball team will face an NJCAA powerhouse when they take on Butler Community College Friday in the opening game of the Central Plains District best-of-three championship series starting at 3 p.m. The winner will advance to the NJCAA Division I College World Series...

ODESSA, Texas – The McCook Community College golf team improved by 12 shots Wednesday in the second round of the National Junior College Athletic Association Championship and are in a position to push up in the team standings. “We made up a little ground but still looking to improve our putting and eliminating the higher hole scores,” said MCC Coach Tyler Loop...

McCOOK, Neb. — TJ’s Family Center topped 1,000 pins in its final scratch game to clinch the Men’s League season championship for 2021-22. Jason Hoppe’s 255 game helped him secure the individual high average and several others delivered grand finales...

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — McCook High’s golfers placed second only to host Scottsbluff at the GNAC golf tournament on Friday. The Bison featured three medalists in seniors Hunter Hansen (fourth, 82), Jonas Somerville (ninth, 86) and freshman Landon Kmoch (10th, 87)...

OGALLALA, Neb. — McCook High’s boys are sending 13 athletes into Class B state just like the girls following their solid fourth-place team finish at Tuesday’s B-6 district. Several Bison were added on Wednesday since their times or marks were among the best at all districts...

OGALLALA, Neb. — Ogallala had to be echoing OH mercy, these McCook High girls are really good! The 2022 Bison are becoming some of McCook’s best ever in girls’ track and field. On Tuesday, they reached an even higher level with their first B-6 district team championship since 2014...