Wrestlers bring home wins

Bobcat wrestlers journeyed to Powell for their first competition of the season with a lot of questions to be answered. This young team answered them in the most positive way possible. With some 22 teams competing, they brought home two varsity championships and one JV championship, they amassed 32 victories out of 54 matches with 32 of those wins by way of pins, and they became a team supporting each other in this most individual sport of all.

Two years ago, junior Austin Ireland competed at 103 pounds while spotting his opponents 10 or more pounds and he took the losses with determination to become better. He has succeeded in that by bringing home the varsity championship at 113 with five pins and 0 points scored against him. He is a confident and tough wrestler with state tournament prospects before him.

Freshman Logan Cole will be heard from in the years ahead as he dominated his weight class (195) even though losing a match by giving up three penalty points on technical violations, and then coming back to pin the same opponent in the second period for the championship. The freshman has high expectations to live up to, but his confidence is contagious and his performance on the mat gives evidence that his future in wrestling is bright indeed.

Riley Shaffer prepared for upcoming varsity action by wading through the JV lineup undefeated for his championship. He gave observers a glimpse of the positive impact he will have for the team in future tournaments and duals as he recorded five pins in six matches. His confidence and positive attitude was in line with the overall team concept Coach C.J. Scholl is emphasizing as part of his program for the Bobcats.

It is of note that the Bobcats could well have had more champions but for the absence of Bobcat seniors absent on Saturday to take the ACT (college entrance) tests in Thermopolis, and several athletes who had not been available for the mandatory 10 practices before competition. Also contributing to the Bobcats' showing were Aiden Ozman (2-2), Hunter Mounts (4-1), Jeffrey VanAntwerp (4-3), Cullen Becher (3-1), and Koy Myers (4-0).

Coach Scholl expressed his appreciation for the work of his team, but was quick to remind them of the many lapses that allowed opponents to escape or score.

"The schedule allows no time for second chances to learn what we should already know," he reminded his team at practice noting the dual with Greybull on Thursday and the "Battle of the Big Horns" on Friday and Saturday.

These meets will complete action for the Bobcats until Jan. 5 when they will journey to Douglas to participate in one of the toughest tournaments in Wyoming, the Shane Shotto Memorial.