Bobcats second at regionals

The Hot Springs County High School Bobcat wrestlers traveled to Big Piney last week for the Class 2A West Regional Tournament. The Cats garnered 151 team points, to finish as Runner-Up to the Kemmerer Rangers at 177 points. Along the way, the Bobcats successfully put 15 wrestlers into the State Championship Tournament, which will be held in Casper this week.

Coach Travis McDermott said, "We definitely had some ups and downs throughout the tournament, but the boys kept scrapping and battled hard to get that second place finish. We had three Champions, and sent seven wrestlers to top four finishes."

Sophomore Dyllan Myers, once again, dominated the 113 lbs. weight class. "Dyllan is the number one ranked wrestler in the state. He gained a pin in his semi-final match, and got a 22-1 technical fall in the final match against Jimenez of Kemmerer."

Sophomore Cannon Boren also continued his dominating season, taking two pins and a major decision. "Boren got a fall in his championship match with Clifford of Big Piney to get his second regional title. He is also the number one ranked wrestler in the state at 132 lbs., and was a state runner-up last season."

Senior Will Ward secured his third regional title at 150 lbs., with two pins and major decision in his championship match against Linford of Cokeville. "Will is the number one ranked wrestler in the state, and a two-time runner-up in the state."

Senior Sam Skelton finished in second place, losing in the final match to last year's state runner-up, Kelley of Kemmerer.

Senior Brody Sorensen who is a returning state champion, ended this year's regional tournament with a third place finish, after suffering a tough loss in his semi-final match.

Sophomore Mack Buckner also had a good tournament with a fourth place finish. While, Junior Haeden Blair helped himself to a third place finish.

Also qualifying for the state tournament were Bobcats, Rylan Stauffer, (120 lbs.); Tannen Birdsley, (126 lbs.); Silas Dickey,(126 lbs.); Kacey Mackay, (132 lbs.); Lance Axtell, (138 lbs.); Ethan Yarrington, (144 lbs.); Logan Dafoe, (157 lbs.); and Ryan Axtell, (190 lbs.).

On Thursday, the Bobcats will make the trek to the Casper Ford Center, for the State Championship Tournament. Placing matches will be held on Saturday, followed later that day by the championship matches, at 2:30 pm.