Powell Panther wrestler Randy Andrews took on top wrestlers from around the nation and brought home a 3-2 record from a prestigious national tournament at Virginia Beach, Va.

Wrestling at 160 pounds, Andrews was among 67 high school juniors competing in the bracket during the three-day tournament. Nearly half of them had medaled in state tournaments and 13 had won one or more state championships.

Andrews lost his first match 4-1 to Michael Shermot, a Pennsylvania wrestler, but came back to win three straight matches. In his second match he pinned Nicolas Garcia, a Nevada state runner-up and followed with a 6-1 decision over Josh Dowdy from Illinois.

Andrews’ final win was a 5-0 decision over Lucas Giesey of Sheridan, a two-time state medalist who finished second in class 4A last season. In his final match, he took on McCoy Newberg, a Tennesee state champion and lost a close 10-7 decision.

Andrews was the only 3A wrestler from Wyoming in the competition. Gillette’s Tanner Olson, a defending state champion and three time finalist, finished 4-2 in the tournament. Two-time state champion Cody Vichy of Rock Springs finished 1-2, Geisey finished 2-2, while Austin Vye of Cheyenne Central and Augustus Carter of Sheridan finished 0-2.

Andrews, who finished third at state last season after winning the championship his sophomore year, said the competition was good experience going into his senior season, and he will continue working this summer to return to the championship.

“I’ll probably enter a couple more tournaments,” Andrews said.