2018 Year of Sports in Review

It was a busy year for sports here in the Panhandle, capped by major accomplishments by many of the teams and student athletes in the area. Here's the highlights of the best of 2018, assembled by date of publication:

FEBRUARY

Haas Signs for University of Wyoming

Sidney senior Coby Haas signs as a preferred walk-on to play football for the University of Wyoming Cowboys for the 2018 season. Haas overcame a major injury in his junior year by following a rigorous rehabilitation regimen and was able to get back to top form, and continue to play football.

"I worked so hard to get back...football is my life", said an emotional Haas.

He plans on playing Free Safety for the Cowboys while majoring in Wildlife Management and Criminal Justice.

Sidney Cheer Squad Selected to Help Wrestling Tournament

The Sidney Cheer Squad was selected as one of two cheer teams to work the mats as assistants to the timers and referees, helping to film the tournament, and escort the wrestlers into the spotlight during the Parade of Champions prior to the finals. Sidney was chosen for the duty after Coach Abby Green threw Sidney's name in the hat.

Green told Nebraska School Activities Association officials her squad could represent the state well, and for the girls, "it's a great way to represent western Nebraska," she said.

Team members include: Kate Dible, Ashley Tyson, Carley Witt, Jocilyn Hessler, Emily Secrest , Cassie Kilmurray, Morgan Sonnie , Paige Hobson, Haley Thies, Ashlyn Sutton , Kaylie Mason, Laney Wagner, Olyvia Frerichs, Mason Nightingale, Kaylee Eddy, Haley Williamson, Abbie Johnson and Miranda Ahrendt.

Sidney wrestlers win B4 District

Sidney's Red Raider wrestling team won the B4 District Wrestling Title, and qualified eight wrestlers for the state tournament in Omaha. Earning district championships and qualifying for states were Kaden Vowers at 126 pounds, Trey Arellano at 132, KC Higer at 145 and Derek Robb at 152 pounds. Also making it to the finals was 138-pounder Brody Raines, who finished second and qualified for states. Additionally, Colton Peckham, Jacob Peckham, and Jack Hinrich are the other Sidney wrestlers who qualified for the state tournament.

Lady Raiders Top Alliance in Subdistrict

The Sidney Lady Raiders topped Alliance in the subdistrict B-8 finals in a thrilling game that had the Lady Raiders go into an overtime period to earn the win. After trailing in the first period, Sidney took the lead only to have the Lady Bulldogs tie the game at 47 in the final seconds of regulation. On a free throw attempt to tie the game, Sidney's Katelyn Sylvester grabbed the rebound to end the game with a 50-to-49 victory for the Lady Raiders, and a place in the District Finals against Roncalli Catholic.

Lady storm upsets lady coyotes

The Creek Valley Lady Storm upset the Potter-Dix Lady Coyotes to win the D2-12 subdistrict title, and to advance to the District Finals against Hyannis. The favored Lady Coyotes had beaten the Lady Storm earlier in the season by 10, and started the game strong with five unanswered points. But the Lady Storm adjusted their defense, and responded to take a 14-to-9 halftime lead. In the fourth period,

Creek Valley turnovers and a series of controversial call tied the game at 27 with about two minutes left to play. Creek Valley was able to re-take the lead in the final minute, and continued to score to put the game out of reach with a final of 36-to-29 in favor of Creek Valley.

Sidney wrestlers finish fourth at state

Sidney High School wrestlers posted their best showing at the state tournament in more than 20 years, finishing in a tie for fourth as a team and bringing home four individual medals.

Three Sidney wrestlers earned spots in the Parade of Champions, where finalists enter the arena prior to championship matches. Sidney senior Derek Robb won a 13-4 decision to make him the winningest Red Raider in school history, and the first four-time state champion.

132-pound Trey Arellano earned his second straight state championship with a 1-0 win over Scottsbluff's Manual Yberra. 126 pound Kaden Vowers had the marathon match of the finals, going four extra periods before a last-second move ended the match in a 5-to-4 decision in favor of Omaha Skutt Catholic's Nicholas Stoltenberg.

Lady raiders basketball advances to state

Sidney's Lady Raider girl's basketball team hosted the B-1 District Finals and defeated the visiting Roncalli Catholic Lady Crimson Pride 44-to-35 to advance to the State Tournament in Lincoln.

The Lady Raiders record going into the game (20-3) was far superior to Roncalli Catholic's (11-15), but the Lady Crimson Pride played with intensity, and gave it their all, keeping the game tight until the final moments of the fourth quarter. Sidney's defense shut down Roncalli Catholic in the fourth period, ending any chances of a comeback, to earn the victory. Junior Janay Brauer led Sidney with 11 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double on the night.

Creek valley boys basketball earns subdistrict title

Creek Valley's Storm boy's basketball team defeated the Leyton Warriors 53-21 at the Cabela's Athletic Center at Sidney High School to take the Subdistrict D2-12 title.

The Storm's passing and ball movement was key in this game, as they seemed to be playing at a much quicker pace than the Warriors. Leyton simply could not keep up with Creek Valley's speedy passing and transitions, and the Storm absolutely controlled the paint throughout the contest.

The Storm faced the Cody-Kilgore Cowboys for the D2-6 district title, the Storm's first appearance in a District Finals contest since 2007.

MARCH

Peetz boys basketball team earns state title

The Peetz Bulldogs defeated the South Baca Patriots 51-to-44 at the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) State Championship tournament in Loveland, CO, to take the CHSAA 1A State Championship title. The win finished off a season for the ages where the Bulldogs tore through their regular season schedule undefeated, ending their run with a 25-1 record and with their first state championship in basketball since 1962. Peetz entered the tournament as the fifth seed and defeated number four seed Sangre de Cristo of Mosca, Colo., 64-to-29, then faced number one seed Creede and emerged victorious in a thrilling overtime 69-to-67 victory. The Bulldogs faced the sixth seeded South Baca Patriots in the finals, and won the 1A State Title with a 51-to-44 victory.

Wrestling Officials honor Ganser, Robb

The Western Nebraska Wrestling Officials (WNWO) honored Sidney High School wrestling coach John Ganser and wrestler Derek Robb with their Sportsmanship Award for 2018. Ganser wins the Coach's award and Robb wins the Wrestler's Award for their consistent displays of sportsmanship and contributions to the Nebraska wrestling community. Both were presented with plaques and pictures commemorating their achievements, and additionally Derek Robb received a $500 cash scholarship. Coach Ganser retired at the end of the 2018 school year after 41 years of dedicated service.

Ganser and Robb were also honored by the Nebraska Scholastic Wrestling Coaches Association (NSWCA)for their outstanding performances and dedication to Nebraska High School Wrestling. Ganser was named the Class B Vern Ekfelt Coach of the Year and also awarded the Class B Distinguished Service Award. Robb was awarded the Class B Pinnacle Bank Scholarship for his outstanding performance. Robb ended his high school career as a four time Class B State Champion with an overall record of 204-1.

April

Creek Valley's Misegadis, Schmid named to Mid-Plains All-Star Basketball team

Creek Valley Lady Storm seniors Payje Misegadis and Sami Schmid were named to the Mid-Plains All-Star Basketball team for their outstanding play during the 2017-2018 basketball season. The seniors represented the Lady Storm basketball team due to their outstanding play and leadership throughout the 2017-2018 season. Misegadis averaged 12.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.5 steals per game and scored a total of 269 points on the season. Schmid averaged 7.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game and scored a total of 159 points on the season.

May

Sidney track teams take first at Western Conference Championships

The Sidney Red Raider Track and Field teams dominated the competition at the Western Conference Championships, with both the boy's and girl's squads taking first place honors at the end of the competition. For the boys, Sidney junior Cade Lewis placed first in the 100 meters and second in the 200 meters and sophomore Skylar Heineman won the 400 meters. Sidney's 4x100, 4x400, and 4x800 meter relay teams all placed first their events. The girl's squad had senior Natalie Radcliffe winning the 300 meter hurdles and the long jump and sophomore MJ Johnstone winning the pole vault.

Creek Valley Girls Track Team Places First in D9 District Tournament

Creek Valley's women's track and field team took first place in the Class D9 District Tournament Wednesday at Creek Valley High School in Chappell. Creek Valley senior Payje Misegadis won the Long Jump with a distance of 15' 04.50". Potter-Dix senior Payge Hoffman won the 100 meters at 13.78 and Potter-Dix senior Trinity Langley won the High Jump with a leap of 5' 02" and the Triple Jump with a distance of 32' 09". Creek Valley junior Garrett Sawyer won the 200 meters with a time of 23.56 in the boy's competition.

Langley Wins Individual State High Jump Championship

Potter-Dix senior Trinity Langley battled through the rain at the NSAA Track & Field Championships to win a individual state championship in the High Jump with a height of 5'02".

June

Sidney Seniors Smith, Haas, Coach Koozer selected for All-Star Football Game

Sidney seniors Jonathan Smith and Coby Haas, and Sidney head coach Chris Koozer were selected to the 40th Annual West Nebraska All-Star Football Game. Smith and Haas played for the West Tea, while Koozer acted as assistant coach. Smith was honored with the Sportsmanship Award and kicked two field goals of 25 and 37 yards in the game. The 34th Annual West Nebraska All-Star Volleyball Game had three area players, Potter-Dix seniors Audrey Juelfs and Trinity Langley and Creek Valley senior Payje Misegadis played for the West Team, while Potter-Dix head coach Brad Hicks was named as an assistant coach for the team.

Peetz' Sircy selected for All-State Basketball

Peetz senior standout Logan Sircy was selected to play in the CHSCA (Colorado High School Coaches Association) All State Basketball Games held in Alamosa, CO at Adams State University. Sircy, who led Peetz to a CHSAA Division 1A State Championship and was named CHSAA Division 1A Player of the Year, traveled to southern Colorado to represent Peetz in the 62nd annual event.

August

Ringleman scores hole-in-one

Sidney resident Ashlee Ringleman, 15, scored a hole-in-one on the 142 yard par 3 eighth hole.

"I hit the ball really well, but I had no idea at first how close it was", said Ringleman, who's entering her sophomore year at Sidney High School.

"But then we saw the (pin) flag move, and we got excited," she continued.

Ringleman's name joined others on the clubhouse wall that have achieved the rare accomplishment, and those names include her father, Jim Ringleman, and her grandfather, Paul, who have also scored holes-in-one.

October

Peetz Bulldogs win Highest scoring football game in Colorado history

The Peetz Bulldogs prevailed over the Briggsdale Falcons in the highest-scoring high school football game in Colorado history by a final score of 101-to-85 on a hot day in Peetz. Peetz had built a 60-to-31 lead in the beginning of the third quarter, but the Falcons would not quit, and by the middle of the fourth quarter, anticipation turned to anxiety as the Falcons kept matching the Bulldogs score for score in the fourth quarter. Ultimately, the Falcons fell short, and the teams combined for total of 186 points. Peetz senior Bryson Long scored seven touchdowns for 42 total points while junior Cooper White scored 4 touchdowns for 24 total points in the victory.

Sidney Girls Golf team places third in district

Sidney's Lady Raider golf team placed third at the Class B District Tournament in Scottsbluff. Sidney senior Tiara Ginther's round of 86 led the team to a top three finish, followed by senior Janay Brauer's round of 101, sophomore Ashlee Ringleman's round of 104, and senior Amanda Beier's round of 105 for a team score of 396.

Sidney boys cross country wins c-4 district

Sidney's Red Raider boys cross country won the C-4 District title by a wide margin against runner-up Holdrege with four Raider runners earning top 10 finishes. Senior captain Collin Brauer ran strong, finishing first individually with a time of 16:22; a wide margin over second place Holdrege senior Tyler Peterson's time of 16:47. Then, for the first time in school history, the Sidney Red Raiders won a State Championship Cross Country. An historic season featuring nine wins in a row by the boy's squad was capped by a Class B State Championship. Senior captain Collin Brauer led the team with a fifth place finish, followed by senior Carlos Lucero in 13th place. The Sidney team finished first overall with 53 points, followed by rival Holdrege with 58 points, and Lincoln Christian finishing third with 81 points.

October 31, 2018

Creek Valley's Storm football team made the playoffs for the first time since 2006. The Storm also recorded their first victories during the season, the first time Creek Valley had won a non-forfeited game since 2010.

October 31, 2018

Sidney senior Collin Brauer was named to the 2018 Cross-Country All State Team by the Nebraska Coaches Association. Brauer led the Sidney boy's cross country team to a District Title and a Class C State Title in a season that featured the boy's team winning nine meets in a row.

Sidney cross country head coach Donna Wiedeburg commended Brauer for his selection.

"This season started a little rough for him but he never complained or quit working, I know he didn't want to let his teammates down and most importantly, he never gave up on himself. Collin has worked hard for this, not only during this season but for the past four years. I am so proud of all he's accomplished and I am very grateful to have been on this journey with him," she said.

November 30, 2018

Peetz seniors Bryson Long and Xavier Runge and Peetz junior Cooper White were selected to Colorado's 2018 1A North Central All-Conference Football Team for their outstanding performances during the 2018 season. Creek Valley sophomore Justin Ningen was selected at Running Back, Potter-Dix sophomore Kyle Evans was selected at End, and Creek Valley junior Patrick Hansen was selected at Defensive Back as First-Team Starters for the 2018 D6 All-District Football Team.

December 14, 2018

Several Sidney student-athletes were named as All-Conference selections for the 2018 Fall Sports season. In volleyball, seniors Payton Jung and Katelyn Sylvester and junior Mattie Johnson were named to the All-Conference Team, while in football, seniors Cade Lewis, Zach Pettit, Ryan Onstott, Arik Doty, Alec Maddox and junior Zak Wieser were named to the All-Conference Team.

NOVEMBER

Three Peetz players named to all-conference football team

Peetz seniors Bryson Long and Xavier Runge and Peetz junior Cooper White were selected to Colorado's 2018 1A North Central All-Conference Football Team for their outstanding performances during the 2018 season. Creek Valley sophomore Justin Ningen was selected at Running Back, Potter-Dix sophomore Kyle Evans was selected at End, and Creek Valley junior Patrick Hansen was selected at Defensive Back as First-Team Starters for the 2018 D6 All-District Football Team.

DECEMBER

Sidney student athletes named to all-conference team

Several Sidney student-athletes were named as All-Conference selections for the 2018 Fall Sports season. In volleyball, seniors Payton Jung and Katelyn Sylvester and junior Mattie Johnson were named to the All-Conference Team, while in football, seniors Cade Lewis, Zach Pettit, Ryan Onstott, Arik Doty, Alec Maddox and junior Zak Wieser were named to the All-Conference Team.