Stories from Wednesday, October 9, 2024

McCOOK, Neb. — The YMCA of McCook is excited to announce that registration is now open for the 2024 Fall Adult Volleyball League. Recreational and Competitive divisions will be offered to women, Co-Ed will play with standard rules. The season begins the week of October 22. Co-Ed will be played on Tuesday evenings. Women will play on Thursday evenings...

COLUMBUS – The McCook Community College volleyball team defeated Central Community College 3-1 Tuesday. The Lady Indians won 25-16, 25-14, 21-25 and 25-13. MCC improves to 4-0 in the Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference and clinches at least a share of the title with two matches left. The Lady Indians can claim the conference outright with a win at home Oct. 15 against Southeast Community College (6 p.m.) then close out the NCCAC schedule at North Platte Oct. 22. “We played way better than last week, but we did let down and play timid in the third set,” said MCC Coach Hayley Kobza. Sophomore Caylin Barnett (McCook) led the attack with 15 kills and added three assist blocks and eight digs. Freshman Charlee Russick (Berthoud, Colo.) chipped in 13 kills, two assist blocks a solo block and 11 digs. Romina Martinez Castro (sophomore, Cochabamba, Bolivia) was credited with 11 kills, eight digs and a service ace. Sophomore Rowan Tribelhorn (Yuma, Colo.) had six kills and six assist blocks. Sophomore Cibeles Bothwell (Spring, Texas) paced the defense with 14 digs and had an assist. Freshman Mia Cauffman (Hershey) had three aces and a dig. Freshman Megan Walker (Haxtun, Colo.) led the team with 43 assists, and added 12 digs, four assist blocks, one kill and four service aces. Audrey Holm (freshman, Paxton) had two service aces. MCC improves to 16-7 on the season and the team returns to Region IX action this weekend with a pair of home matchups starting with a homecoming game against Otero College (6-19) at 6 p.m. Friday followed with a 2 p.m. match against Trinidad State (18-6) Saturday. MCC is 1-2 in the Region IX South, Otero is 0-3 and Trinidad State is 1-2. “We have big games coming up this weekend and we need to get back into the gym to work on some mechanics,” said Kobza. Up-to-date information about MCC volleyball including livestream links, schedule, statistics, rosters, photos and more can be found on the MCC Athletics website, www.mccindians.com NEBRASKA COMMUNITY COLLEGE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE STANDINGS W-L PCT OVERALL McCook CC 4-0 1.000 16-7 Central CC 3-2 .600 14-12 North Platte 2-2 .500 10-19 Southeast CC 0-5 .000 4-19

HASTINGS, Neb. — McCook High junior Kapri Loop and freshman Hailey Smalley both made Class B state with Top 10 rounds of 102 at Monday's B-4 district tournament on Southern Hills Golf Course. The Bison duo tied for 10th place overall and that final individual state spot...

As I write this column, fresh produce is overflowing on my kitchen counter. A watermelon threatens to roll off the table every time someone walks by. A bag of tomatoes awaits it fate after being missed as part of the last batch of homemade salsa. Every variety of pepper can be found among the multiple plastic bags scattered around the kitchen...

ARAPAHOE, Neb. — Arapahoe buiilt a 56-0 halftime and rolled past Alma to a 56-16 victory Friday evening. Senior William Cacy scored three touchdowns on three and one-yard runs along with a 15-yard pass interception return. Senior Grayson Koller rumbled 50 yards and picked off another Cardinal pass which he took 18 yards for six points...

KEARNEY, Neb. — Results from McCook High’s JV tennis action in Kearney on Monday. Sma Hoyt finished first at No. 2 singles after winning all five of his matches. Team Standings 1 Singles-Carter Hartwell, 4-1, 3rd Place Def H. Cline, North Platte 8-2...

Wauneta-Palisade’s volleyball team won a tough four-set Homecoming match over Sumner-Eddyville-Miller (above) Friday evening in Wauneta. The Broncos going for a block are Lilly Dinnel (3) and McKenna Doetker (1).

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. — Results from the C-4 district meet at Cambridge's Cross Creek Golf Course where the Whippets took first with 349, Holdrege second at 373 and Grand Island Central Catholic third thanks to a 387 team score. All three top teams advance into Class C state at North Platte's Lake Maloney Golf Course on Monday-Tuesday. Cambridge did not record a team score. Senior Hailey Evans placed 28th overall with 113, senior Mileeya Monter was 36th after finishing at 121 and younger Trojan Gracelynn Mowry took 51st at 138. 1 KayLynn Jorgensen - Minden 78 2 Julia Messere - GICC 80 3 Molly C Custer - Broken Bow 83 4 Kara Suchsland - Minden 83 5 Brynn Smith - Minden 87 6 Makenzie Claussen - GICC 87 7 Kaylee Olsen - Gothenburg 89 8 Brynn S Custer - Broken Bow 89 9 Amelia G Ptacnik - Holdrege 90 10 Ella McClymont - Holdrege 91 11 Addison B Rehnberg - Holdrege 92 12 Ella G Atchison - Cozad 93 13 Adi Bartels - Gothenburg 95 14 Molly M Kenna - GICC 98 15 Kaylin J Sughroue - Holdrege 100 16 Shelby Nelson - Minden 101 17 Izzy Svec - Kearney Catholic 103 18 Natalie Bendfeldt - Gibbon 105 19 Ivy M Eggleston - Broken Bow 105 20 Madison Cornwell - Gothenburg 106 21 Isabelle Martin - Minden 107 22 KyAnna Brand - Centura 107 23 Rea Petersen - Burwell 110 24 Makenna Treffer - Ravenna 111

McCOOK, Neb. — A razor-sharp Tigers passing attack helped Hastings pull away for the surprising 38-23 win over McCook’s Bison Friday night. Quarterback Tucker Synek and top receiver Chance Vertin sparked 335 yards of aerial offense that was easily a season best against the Bison defense. McCook (4-2 record) countered with a constantly improving 60-percent passing effort from junior quarterback Trent Raile. Yet after Raile’s six-yard TD run pulled the Bison within 24-20, those visiting Tigers took total charge with two more clinching touchdowns. Hastings also improved to 4-2, losing only against Class B No. 1 Bennington and a strong 5-1 York Dukes squad. “We took away their running game and made them pass, which is what we wanted to do,” Hastings coach and Cambridge alum Charlie Shoemaker said Friday while also prasing the precise work of his quarterback Synek. Of course, that’s a familiar name to Tiger and Bison fans who remember former Hastings great Jaret Synek. Senior Alex Landry’s 71-yard touchdown reception was the best Bison highlight at a huge moment. Hastings had taken a 21-6 lead after a fake-punt run and squibbed kickoff set up two consecutive TDs. The Tiger punter hurdled McCook’s best tackle try to reach a first down. It led to Synek’s 29-yard fade pass down the sideline which Vertin secured for Hastings’ 14-6 advantage. “It (the fake punt) wasn’t called, he did it on his own,” Shoemaker revealed. “It’s one of those plays that could be trouble if it doesn’t work hard.” The Tigers’ other special-teams moment also did not appear planned. The Tiger kicker almost appeared to mishit his kickoff but that floating football nudged off a Bison blocker’s foot. Hastings quickly recovered the football and scored again on a nine-yard TD run. “Hastings did a good job converting on some key downs which extended their drives,” Vetrovsky also noted. However, the Bison responded quickly when Raile put a lofted pass perfectly over a final Tiger defender to Landry. This 71-yard, one-play “drive” was capped with sophomore Gunner Kaps’ PAT kick to bring McCook within 21-13 entering halftime. Hastings nearly scored again before the break but sophomore Ty Junker made yet another leaping interceptoon in that Bison end zone. Junker now has four picks during his first five games, since he did not play against Waverly on Sept. 20. Yet Hastings still delivered another field goal starting the second half. The Tigers never lost momentum even though Raile’s ensuing TD run made it 24-20. Synek kept everything “humping” with 27 pass completions in 36 attempts — good for exactly 75 percent. “ We competed hard against Hastings,” Vetrovsky concluded. “Tt was a tight game. They made a few more plays than we did which ultimately decided the outcome. “Trenton Raile had a solid game at QB for us. He continues to get better each and every week. Our offense continues to add “wrinkles” each and every week in an attempt to keep the opposing defense off balance. “We will look to improve on our third-down defense.” The Bison are still in solid playoff position and host Ogallala Friday night at Weiland Field before another big contest at Scottsbluff on Oct. 18.

GOTHENBURG, Neb. — Three individuals were arrested following a high-speed pursuit near Gothenburg, Nebraska, on Tuesday, October 9, 2024. Nebraska State Patrol troopers, with assistance from the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, apprehended the suspects after a chase that began on Interstate 80 and ended with a search in rural areas...

Yes, they are a floral store. And their stunning arrangements fill rooms with vibrant displays of color and texture. But Seize the Daisy in Benkelman, Neb. offers so much more. Home decor, gourmet snacks, candles, jewelry, stuffed toys, seasonal items, and for those who can’t decide, gift cards take the guesswork out of choosing the perfect gift...