Four state champs!

The Bobcats came home from the 2A State Wrestling Tournament in Casper with four state champions and a fifth place finish for the team, just outside of the trophies.

Last Thursday, Bobcats Wyatt McDermott, Roedy Farrell, Logan Cole and Remington Ferree all earned state championships, the most wrestling championships in Bobcat history. Previously, the Bobcats had several seasons with two state champions.

"It was a great accomplishment for these four and they all dominated through the entire tournament," said head coach Travis McDermott.

Wyatt McDermott at 138 lbs. began the tournament with an 11-1 win over Hanusa from Rocky Mountain. He then went on to pin his next two opponents, Barajas from Shoshsoni in the quarterfinals and Brownlee from Wind River in the semi-finals to put him into his second state championship match.

Wyatt's state championship match was against Kaden Tescher of Wright. He took early control of the match with two  takedowns and quickly capitalized on a mistake by Tescher to catch him on his back and get near fall points.

After the first period Wyatt had a 6-1 lead and had his opponent in a very pinnable situation at the end of the period but ran out of time.

In the second period Wyatt got another takedown on the edge of the mat to take a 8-1 lead. Again he rode out the period and again almost had a turn at the end of it.

In the third period Wyatt managed well not taking any chances and got a penalty point after Tescher used an illegal scissor on the head.

"This wasn't Wyatt's best match of the season but was managed well and he did what he needed to do to win," said coach McDermott

Wyatt ends his junior year season leading the team with a 29-4 record, becomes a three time state placer, two time regional runner-up, one Regional Championship and two time All-State with a runner-up his freshman year and a fourth as a sophomore.

 Roedy Farrell at 152 lbs. dominated the tournament with four pins. Pins included Black of Glenrock, Barnes of Tongue River, and Halls of Cokeville in the semis.

Everyone expected the championship to be between Roedy and Wyatt Trembly of Dubois. While Roedy had beaten Trembly two weeks ago, it was still a highly anticipated match.

Roedy took advantage of a poor shot by Trembly and got the first takedown. Roedy got to work on his armbar and was patient with his half. When he saw the opportunity he went after the right side half to turn Trembly and eventually got the pin with :13 seconds left in the first period.

Roedy ends his sophomore season with a 25-4 record, two regional championships and two-time All-State with a runner-up his freshman year.

 "Logan Cole at 195 has dominated at 220 for the last two years and agreed to drop weight this season to give Jarek Sorensen an opportunity to score points for the team," said coach McDermott.

That shook the two weights in the state up as everyone tried to avoid Logan.

Logan was going for his third state championship. Logan didn't have any problem becoming only the second three time State Champion in Bobcat history, with Ryan Bradshaw being the other.

Logan pinned Smith of Wind River in the first match. In the quarterfinals he tech falled Welchof Hulett, then pinned in the semis against Hagler of Kemmerer.

In Logan's championship match it took him 1:24 to pin Howard of Big Piney to collect his last match win.

Logan ended his high school wrestling career with a 19-1 season record and a 121-28 overall record, three Regional Championships, and three State Championships and three time All-State.

Logan will be playing football next year at South Dakota School of Mines.

 Remington Ferree capped off the night with the Bobcat's fourth State Championship.

Remington had a difficult task in that he was on the same side of the bracket as Will Baker from Southeast who had beat him last year in the semifinal match.

Remington had a buy in the first round then made quick work in his quarterfinals of Knobloch of Tongue River with a first period pin.

"In the semi-final match with Baker, Remington attacked off of Bakers Russian tie to get to a body lock. Baker stepped in front and Rem went with it and power rolled him through to put Baker on his back and collect the pin," said coach McDermott.

In his championship match it was a rematch of the Regional Championship with Hilder of Shoshoni.

"Rem was controlled and patient with no scoring in the first period," said coach McDermott.

Ferree took bottom and got a quick reversal in the second period. After Hilder got an escape, Remington got in on a body lock again and got a takedown.

In the third period Remington wore on Hilder with his Half Nelson and eventually got him turned and took the pin.

This was Remington's second State Championship match. He ends his high school wrestling career with  a 17-1 season record and a 50-19 career record. one regional Championship, two-time regional runner-up, two-time All-State wrestler, and a State Championship.

Remington will be playing Football next year at Chadron State.

 "While the rest of the Bobcat team was overshadowed by the four champions we still had some great performances by other wrestlers," said coach McDermott.

Seth Needham and Jarek Sorensen made it to the blood round but came up one match short of placing.

"Both had some great wins to climb back from first round losses," said coach McDermott.

Seth lost his first match then went on to dominate his first round wrestleback match against Rodda from Big Piney with a pin.

Then in a tight match Seth held onto a 2-0 victory over Collingwood from Tongue River.

In his third round consolation match he had an opportunity to get a fall against West from Lusk but got rolled through and gave up the loss.

 "Jarek Sorensen had opportunities but couldn't quite capitalize in his first round loss to the eventual runner-up from Greybull," said coach McDermott.

Jarek came back through the consolations with a win over Murphy of Big Piney. He then got a huge win in the second consolation round against the #1 ranked wrestler Caldera of Lusk with a 4-1 victory.

"He couldn't quite get it going against Mack from Wright to get into the placing matches," said coach McDermott.

 "Three other Bobcat wrestlers got one win in their brackets which was good considering they got poor draws in the each of those brackets," added coach McDermott.

Jessen Basse, Daniel Blair and Lee Grimm all got first round consolation victories in hard fought matches.

"I think their victories and the added bonus of watching their team-mates reach the pinnacle in the state will give them a fire to work in the off next season to get to that level of wrestling. All of them are hard-working wrestlers with positive attitudes that adds to our wrestling rooms success every day," said coach McDermott.

He added, "It's a long season and only those truly dedicated are there at the end of the season. I am proud of all of our wrestlers for how they work in the room as well as how they ended the season."