Two wrestlers earn championships

The Hot Springs County High School Bobcat wrestling team was in Shoshoni last weekend to compete at the Clash at the Crossroads Tournament.

Finishing in third place in the team standings (out of fourteen teams) the Cats had a productive weekend, bringing home two individual championships and placing six of the team’s seven varsity wrestlers. Cokeville carried the team championship with 163 team points.

Juniors Dyllan Myers and Cannon Boren each dominated the field in their respective weights, winning all their matches by pin, including both championship matches. Expressing pride in their effort, Coach Travis McDermott said, “Both Dyllan and Cannon are tops in the entire state, and they continue to improve and show their dominance each and every week.”

At 215 lbs., junior Ryan Axtell had a remarkable weekend, knocking off the #2 ranked wrestler from Wright in the opening round. “Ryan didn’t just squeak out a win, he dominated in all positions and really showed his best wrestling of his career,” commented Coach McDermott. “In the Semifinals, he beat a tough Cokeville opponent with another great performance, and in the championship he gave the #1 ranked wrestler from Rocky Mountain a run for his money.”

Also placing in Shoshoni were freshman Garret White in third place at 106 lbs., senior Haeden Blair, third place at 190 lbs., and freshman Tanner Delay, who was making his debut at 138 lbs. “All three of those young men had good tournaments and set themselves up in a good position for the remainder of the season.”

This weekend, the Bobcats will head south for the two-day Lander Invite Tournament, which begins on Friday, January 23.