Catching up: A look at former area athletes

Robert Kokesh, a sophomore wrestler for the University of Nebraska and Wagner High School graduate, won both of his matches Sunday to take the individual crown at 174 pounds at the Midlands Invitational in Evanston, Ill.

Kokesh earned his two victories Sunday after going 4-0 in the first day of the event Saturday. He started with a 10-2 major decision over Northwestern’s Lee Munster in the semifinals. In the championship match, Kokesh won an 8-4 decision over Lehigh’s Nate Brown.

In the tournament, Kokesh outscored his opponents 46-7 and added two pins, which gives him eight on the season.

He improves to 22-1 this season, including 17 wins in a row. Kokesh and the Cornhuskers continue their season on Jan.11 at the University of Michigan.

n Chamberlain natives and Mount Marty College men’s basketball players Joe Hieb and Chevy Fischer both had big games in Denver, over the weekend.

Hieb, now a senior for the Lancers, scored 16 in the first game against Johnson and Wales (Colo.), including five 3-pointers in a 73-63 win for Mount Marty. Hieb also added nine points in the second game of the tournament for the Lancers.

A junior, Fischer scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a 75-56 loss to Sterling (Kan.) in the next game of the weekend for Mount Marty.

The Lancers (6-10 overall, 4-6 GPAC) return to action Saturday when they host Hastings College for a Great Plains Athletic Conference showdown.

n Freeman graduate Paige Herrboldt, a freshman for the Briar Cliff University women’s basketball team, scored 10 points and added three rebounds in 16 minutes of action for the Chargers in an 89-64 win over Avila (Mo.) on Friday in a holiday tournament hosted by Morningside College.

No. 6 Briar Cliff (14-3, 5-2 GPAC) went 2-0 in the tournament and returns to action Saturday when it takes on cross-town rival Morningside in conference action at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

n Mount Marty junior April Winne, a Scotland graduate, scored 23 points and dished out four assists against Emmanuel (Ga.) in the first game of a holiday classic in Lake Wales, Fla., Friday.

The Lancers beat Emmanuel 73-64.

In the second game of the classic, a 67-74 loss to Webber International (Fla.), Winne scored 12 points and added five rebounds.

The Lancers (9-6, 4-3 GPAC) return home for a conference matchup against Hastings College Saturday in Yankton.

Tags: sports, updates, wagner, chamberlain, freeman, scotland