Middle school wrestlers compete at Riverton

The Thermopolis Middle School wrestlers saw action on the mats at Riverton Saturday during the Spartan Invite. The boys came away with 74.5 team points.

Coach Toby Emery stated, “The Spartan Invite is always a tough tournament with new competition. It’s a great way for the boys to test their skills and see how they size-up with new competitors across the state. All of the boys wrestled tough, but we had a couple wrestlers really step up to the challenge. Eighth grader Logan Cole dominated his weight class pinning all of his opponents and taking first at the 200 lb. weight class!”

Cole scored 28 team points. He received byes in championship Rounds 1 and 2, then took wins by a 2:33 fall over Kris Topaum of Riverton in the quarterfinals, by a 30-second fall over Carson VanGieson of Green River in the semis and by a 19-second fall over Karson Lamb of Powell.

In addition, Emery stated, “sixth grader Roedy Farrell has been on a roll the last few weeks. He battled for a well-deserved third place victory in the 100 lb. weight class, wrestling back and beating some very tough opponents!”

Farrell scored 22 team points. Farrell won by a 52-second fall over Joseph Lanham of Riverton in Championship Round 1, and by a 6-0 decision against Xander Mandros of Green River in Championship Round 2.

The quarterfinals saw Farrell lose by a 41-second fall to Tim Henry of Rock Springs, but he finished strong with a win by a 57-second fall over Garrett Kalkowski of Cody in Consolation Round 4, a win by 9-8 decision against RJ Davidson of Rock Springs in Consolation Round 5, a win by 11-second fall over Derringer Jones of Worland in the consolation semis and a win by 2:27 fall over Elijah Hernanadez of Riverton in the third place match.

In the 75 lb. class, Charlie Sandberg did not place but scored 4.5 team points. Sandberg received a bye in Championship Round 1, then lost by a 51-second fall to Dawsen Valerio of Riverton in Championship Round 2. He received byes in Consolation Rounds 2 and 3, then won by a 22-6 tech fall against Tanner Jensen of Thermopolis in Consolation Round 4. Sandberg lost by a 32-second fall to Jace Warsinski of Jackson MS in Consolation Round 5.

In the same class, Jensen did not place and scored no team points. In addition to the loss to Sandberg in Consolation Round 4, Jensen received byes in Championship Rounds 1 and 2 and lost by a 2:13 fall to Creedon Newell of Worland in the quarterfinals.

In the 80 lb. class, Sean Johansen did not place and scored no team points. Johansen received a bye in Championship Round 1, then lost by 9-1 majority decision against James Laird of Rawlins in Championship Round 2. In Consolation round 2, he received a bye, but lost by a 1:14 fall to Tallon Anderson of Lander in Consolation Round 3.

In the 95 lb. class, Carson Williams did not place and scored no team points. In Championship Round 1, Williams lost by a 15-0 tech fall against Kein Anderson of Worland. He received a bye in Consolation Round 1, and lost by a 2:19 fall to Cash Christensen of Rock Springs in Consolation Round 2.

In the same class, Wyatt McDermott did not place but scored nine team points. McDermott received a bye in Championship Round 1, and won by a 37-second fall over Wyatt Romero-Erlanson of Jackson in Championship Round 2 and by a 9-0 majority decision against Jake Sclhlattmann of Greybull/Cloud Peak in the quarterfinals.

In the semifinals, McDermott lost by a 30-second fall to Clayson Mele of Green River. He also lost by a 6-0 decision against Christensen.

In the 115 lb. class, Matt Music did not place but scored six team points. Music received a bye in Championship Round 1, and lost by a 54-second fall to Calab Bangs of Rawlins in Championship Round 1. He won by a 33-second fall over Mark Mock of Lander in Consolation Round 2 and by a 48-second fall over Jackson Long of Greybull/Cloud Peak in Consolation Round 3, but lost by a 2:21 fall to Aaron Carver of Worland in Consolation Round 4.

In the 150 lb. class, Jack Whittaker did not place and scored no team points. He received a bye in Championship Round 1, and lost by an 11-second fall to Garrett Cole of Worland in Championship Round 2. Whittaker received a bye in Consolation Round 2, and lost by a 57-second fall to Dalton Wadsworth of Green River in Consolation Round 3.

In the 180 lb. class, Austin Barral did not place but scored five team points. Barral received a bye in Championship Round 1, and lost by a 51-second fall to Luis Dominguez of Rock Springs in Championship Round 2. He received byes in Consolations Rounds 2 and 3, and won by a 2:37 fall over Braden Salazar of Rock Springs in Consolation Round 4, but lost by a 1:40 fall to Trever Condos of Mountain View in Consolation Round 5.

Overall, Emery said they had a great season with the few athletes they had. “The boys worked hard all season and should be proud of their efforts and accomplishments,” he stated.

Emery also expressed his appreciation to the coaches, parents, and Bobcat fans for all of their support this season.