Bison itching for big home dual tonight

After not attending Saturday’s Cozad Invite due to weather, coach Nick Umscheid and the McCook High wrestlers make their season debut tonight with a home dual against those same Haymakers. Varsity action should begin around 6:30 p.m.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb — Finally, someone to beat up besides each other when the McCook wrestlers host Cozad Haymakers for tonight’s season-opening dual.

“The wrestlers are itching to compete,” coach Nick Umscheid confirmed since the recent snow pushed McCook’s debut back more than five full days. “We have been working extremely hard the last few weeks.”

First matches are set for 6:30 p.m. in the McCook High gym.

The Bison expect some tough tasks as Cozad scored 106 points and placed second at its own invitational on Saturday.

The Haymakers will bring four tournamcnt champions into McCook with three almost certain to wrestle tonight.

Kaleb Pohl went 4-0 by pinning all four foes, but the Bison will be open at 145 according to this morning’s latest information.

Other Haymaker champs are

— Jace Russman at 120 pounds, where he scored two pins and a 4-2 overtime win over Lexington’s Ean Bailey for the home title.

McCook 2017 state qualifier Carson Richards is ready to test unbeaten Russman.

— Blake Hoffmaster pinned a trio at 152 leading to his 6-2 final victory over Lexington’s Tyler Peterson.

Junior Landon Towne is lined up to face Hoffmaster tonight under the bright lights.

— Cade Stott captured the 220-pound championship even though he suffered a 7-5 “sudden” loss to Lexington’s Cody Wolf.

Stott responded with two strong title-clinching wins.

He’ll be the first to battle Bison senior Colin Giron since early 2017. Giron missed all last wrestling season because of an injury.

Conner Wescoat (170 pounds) and heavyweight Josh Stallbaumer both placed second on Saturday.

They’re matched against McCook seniors Kody Hahn (170) and Hunter Cunningham tonight.

“Cozad does not have a deep team,” Umscheid observed. “But they do have quality wrestlers in the weight classes they fill. We expect a hard-fought dual.”

Watch for results.

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Here are the McCook weights filled and ready for tonight’s dual with Cozad at MHS:

113 - Julian Stiver

120 - Carson Richards

126 - Talyn Campbell

132 - Trevor Felber

152 - Landon Towne

170 - Kody Hahn

182 - Alec Langan

195 - Jared Cole

220 - Colin Giron

285 - Hunter Cunningham