Wrestlers fighting hard in 3A

Bobcat varsity and junior varsity wrestlers were in Lander over the weekend for the Lander Valley Invitational, giving the team a good look at what their 3A competition looks like half way through the season.

“We’re hitting a mid-season burnout,” head coach CJ Scholl said. “We hit it really hard this last week and weekend. Fortunately, we have enough older guys to push the others to keep it up.”

Scholl said he and coach Jacob Smith are still finding things for the team to work on.

“We’re seeing what they like, how they wrestle, what’s most comfortable for them and perfecting that technique,” Scholl said. “In the end its much better for the boys. We’re doing a lot of individual work with them.

“This weekend was a real eye opener for them, seeing how 3A is. We talked with them this morning (Monday) about being competitive at that level.”

Two of the matmen on the varsity team placed fifth at the tourney, Koy Myers and Cullen Becher.

Myers, at 145 lbs., had a 4-2 record for the weekend, winning his first match by decision over Josh Jones of Cody. Myers then lost by decision to Jake Waterson of Buffalo before taking his second win over Kaden Kranendonk of Big Piney. His third win was another decision over Zane Moore of Glenrock.

He split his final two matches, dropping the consolation semi-final, by decision, to William Atnip of Lander. The final win, the one which put him in the 5th place slot, was won by a fall over Josh Jones of Cody.

Myers brought the Cats 12.5 team points for the weekend.

An additional 11 team points were added by 160 lb. Cullen Becher, who finished the weekend with a 3-2 record for the tournament.

Becher took his first win by decision over Ira Mickelson of Cody. His second match, also a win, was over Glenrock’s Isak Elisson by decision as well.

Two losses followed, the first by fall to Star Valley’s Bridger Vandeburg, the second, also by fall, to Dino Baldes of Riverton.

Becher’s fifth place spot was ensured with a win by fall over Ben Graeff of Laramie. The match was a good one, going all the way to the 4:55 mark, well into the third period.

Others adding team points to the varsity board include Blake Williams (113), who scored three points with his 2-2 record; Jonathan Hagen (120), scored two points with his 3-2 record and two more points came from Jeffery VanAntwerp (138) and his 2-2 record for the weekend.

On the JV side, Riley Shaffer (152) and Andrew Yarbrough (220) both placed second in their respective weight classes.

Shaffer came away from the tournament with a 3-1 record and 16 team points, receiving a bye in the first round, then winning his second against Kaleb DeVries of Riverton by decision and his third, also by decision, over Kyler Lesher of Lander.

In the first place match, Shaffer, unfortunately, was pinned by Kyle Kunz of Star Valley to take second place.

Yarbrough took his first match by pinning Jackson Morris of Cody, followed by a pin of Hunter Pope of Buffalo. His single loss was handed to him by Carson Cantu of Pinedale, who pinned him at the 1:15 mark. Yarbrough scored 18 team points for the weekend.

Josh Lackey (106) had a 1-2 record for the weekend, adding four points to the team score. Kyle Card (138) also added four points with his 2-2 record. Tyler Kay (160) had a difficult weekend, going 0-2 against wrestlers from Rock Springs and Worland.

The Cats will be traveling to Greybull on Saturday for a 2A-3A invitational. Wrestling will begin at 9 a.m.