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Wrestlers host Lovell today

A busy week tested Thermopolis wrestlers as they hosted a quadrangle with Worland, Douglas and Lovell on Thursday, and a trip to Riverton to participate in the tournament most wrestling people in Wyoming consider the true individual state championship meet - The Ron Thon Invitational.

Thursday the Bobcats wrestled both Douglas and Worland in successive matches. Douglas overpowered the Bobcats to the tune of 49-18 with only Tom Severns and Cullen Becher winning via pins.

Other Bobcats wrestled well in the dual. Jon Hagen gave up back points in an otherwise even match in a losing 6-3 effort, while Louie Castle seemed off his game and wrestled to an 3-0 loss.

Douglas emphatically demonstrated that they are their usual powerful self and will be in contention for a 3A team medal at the state tournament.

The dual with Worland was a different matter entirely. The Bobcats knew going into the match that they would be forfeiting 18 team points in the three heaviest weight classes, so the Bobcats had to step up with their best performances.

The Bobcats earned pins from Colter Hansen, Jon Hagan, Mikey Wilkenson, Louie Castle and Cullen Becher with a major decision by Ethan Becher and a forfeit to Milton Peden. Sadly, though they won six of ten matches on the mat, they came up two points short in a 42-40 loss.

Only four wrestlers were entered in the varsity brackets in Riverton, Hanson, Castle, Cullen Becher and Peden. Only Becher with two victories and Castle with one survived past the first consolation round. The four Bobcats were 3 and 8 for their efforts.

Many wrestlers are considered JV only because they are backups to varsity wrestlers in their weight class who are medalists or champions at tournaments. Most of the Bobcats were entered in what is called the Ron Thon JV Tournament for want of a better name. It is really a simultaneous tournament for all those who do the hard work of wrestling, but are younger or newer to the sport.

Seven Bobcat JVs netted 16 wins with 14 of them coming via pins. Koy Myers wrestled his best of the season in winning through to the championship where he met Rawlins' D. Taylor, ranked #7 in 3A. Despite a good effort, Koy lost by decision. Ethan Becher was unable to make the weight limit on Saturday, so after an impressive 3-0 start Friday was disqualified from further competition. Chandler Maddock was eliminated one round before medaling.

Gillette topped the JV tourney at 176.5 points with 35 entrants followed by Star Valley at 166 points by 23 wrestlers and Natrona County at 158.5 points by 20 competitors. Overall the Thermopolis JV acquitted themselves well finishing 21st of 43 teams while filling only nine weight classes.

Coach Scholl was obviously disappointed with the dual outcomes, but he was optimistic after the Ron Thon with the overall performances of many of the Bobcats. Ethan Becher, Myers and Maddock all were pointed out as giving strong performances along with Cullen Becher in the varsity brackets. "We'll be prepared for the upcoming regional and state based on the outcomes for our kids here [Riverton]."

This week sees the Bobcats hosting Lovell on Thursday and traveling to Glenrock on Saturday.

 

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