Wrestlers perform in Pavillion

Fifteen Bobcats went to Pavillion to wrestle in the Don Runner Invitational Friday and Saturday.

Heeding their coaches prediction that “...they’ll get better” after a tough Douglas weekend, they placed nine in the top six of their weight classes.

Greybull/Riverside amassed 195 1/2 points to take the 21 team tournament championship to lead Rocky Mountain, Cokeville, and Thermopolis. The 141 points scored by the Bobcats was the highest tournament total in recent years for the ‘Cats.

Both Cullen Becher and Jon Hagen wrestled for the tourney championship. Becher was totally dominant in a 5-0 win over Wright’s Orion Smith scoring on two takedowns and an escape and controlling his opponent for nearly five minutes. His real competition was in the semifinals where he scrambled to a 7-5 decision over Saratoga’s highly rated Tom Ingraham.

Hagen was not as fortunate in meeting Rocky Mountain’s Brian Crawford who took quick advantage of a solid takedown to record a pin against the Bobcat in the first period.

Third place medalists Ethan Becher and Colter Hansen won 11 matches with four pins included in their total. Freshman Becher met No. 1 rated Conner Wilkinson of Shoshoni in the first round and took his top-rated opponent into the third period before succumbing.

Hansen’s only loss was a one point thriller to Greybull’s Dawson McEwen. His five victories included three pins.

Milton Peden’s record, 4-2, to fifth place included three pins, as did Koy Myers.

Luciano Castle’s try for third was unsuccessful against Jason Bower of Cokeville as the Panther used a six point 3rd period to score a 9-2 victory over the Bobcat.

Other Bobcat’s scoring victories for their team were Tyson Tobar, Jon Harvey, Jeremy VanAntwerp, Tanner Boss, Chase White, Jeremy Gibble, Tom Severns, Kyle Harvey and Mikey Wilkinson.

“We’re not there yet,” said coach Scholl, “But we are on our way. This should energize our young wrestlers, and give the rest of the team the desire to get to our best efforts.”

The Bobcats are not due back in action until Jan. 30 when they travel to Greybull for their one day Invitational tournament.