Powell Tribune

Trapper wrestler Ryker Blackburn controls the head of helpless John Bray from Neosho County in his national tournament opener. Blackburn broke a 6-6 deadlock when he pinned Bray in 4:44.

The Trapper contingent for this year’s NJCAA National Championships put up a fight in Council Bluffs, Iowa, but fell short of the medal round. Gus Harrison wore Trapper black at 149 pounds. … more

By Steve Moseley | 3/10/22

Former Trapper wrestler inducted into hall of fame

Former Trapper wrestler Art Castillo is set to be inducted into the NJCAA Wrestling Hall of Fame for his success coaching at Western Wyoming Community College in Rock Springs. Castillo has been … more

By Seth Romsa | 3/8/22

Ryker Blackburn works to turn his opponent during an early season dual with Western Wyoming. Blackburn, along with teammate Gus Harrison, advanced to the NJCAA National Championships after placing in the top two at the Plains District Championships on Saturday.

Two Trappers advance to national championships

A pair of Trapper wrestlers are on their way to the NJCAA National Championships in Council Bluffs, Iowa: Ryker Blackburn and Gus Harrison earned qualifying positions at the Plains District … more

By Seth Romsa | 2/17/22

Trapper freshman Kendell Cummings (right) attempts to take down his opponent from Western Wyoming during a dual on Nov. 5. Cummings placed third at the Tyler Plummer Classic at Williston State on Saturday.

NWC wrestlers shine at Dickinson State

After having to cancel their Apodaca Duals last weekend — due to teams pulling out over health concerns — the Trapper wrestling team traveled to Dickinson State in North Dakota to take … more

By Seth Romsa | 2/3/22

NWC freshman Ivan Lee takes on his opponent during a matchup with the University of Providence on Nov. 6. The Trappers wrestlers had to scrap this weekend’s Apodaca duals.

NWC’s Apodaca duals canceled

The annual Apodaca wrestling duals — set to be hosted by Northwest College this Friday and Saturday — have been canceled, due to health concerns within the programs that planned to … more

By Seth Romsa | 1/25/22

Ryker Blackburn takes down his opponent from Western Wyoming during their early season dual on Friday, Nov. 5. Blackburn went 4-0 at 197 pounds at the Northeast Oklahoma Duals, including three pins.

NWC Trappers show growth in Oklahoma

In a season where growing pains were to be expected, the Trapper wrestling team saw its growth pay off when they took part in the Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Duals in Miami, … more

By Seth Romsa | 1/20/22

Ryker Blackburn holds down Western Wyoming’s Tyce Raddon during their matchup at 197-pounds at the Trapper Duals on Nov. 5. Blackburn won two matches last weekend during the Battle of the Rockies duals before being forced to withdraw due to a knee injury.

Trapper wrestling sees small improvements heading into break

The final matches of 2021 for the Trapper wrestling took place at the Battle of the Rockies in Great Falls, Montana, on Friday and Saturday, as they looked to finish the year on a positive note … more

By Seth Romsa | 12/7/21

NWC wrestling recovers with bye week

Injuries have depleted an already small roster for the Trapper wrestling team as they continue to navigate their way through the early part of their season. A recent break in the schedule gave the … more

By Seth Romsa | 11/26/21

Traycee Norman (right) grapples with KC Buday of the University of Providence during the Trapper Duals on Nov. 6. Norman and the Trapper wrestling team are dealing with injuries early in the season as the team looks to continue to improve in a rebuilding year.

Trappers wrestling deals with season unlike any other

The Northwest College wrestling program is typically a nationally competitive program from start to finish, but the program is dealing with injuries to an already limited roster. Trapper head … more

By Seth Romsa | 11/18/21

Kendell Cummings tries to finish Western Wyoming’s Carson Jensen on Friday. Cummings pinned Jensen to earn the Trappers’ only points of the night. They will be on the road for the next two months, beginning in Rock Springs this weekend.

Trapper wrestling hosts duals

Trapper wrestling hosted two duals over the weekend, welcoming Western Wyoming Community College and the University of Providence as the team looked to find its footing early in the season. … more

By Seth Romsa | 11/12/21

NWC wrestlers set to host early season duals

The Trapper wrestling team is set to open its home schedule this weekend, with duals against Western Wyoming at 6 p.m. Friday, and against the University of Providence at 9 a.m. Saturday. The … more

By Seth Romsa | 11/4/21

Trapper wrestling transitions towards future

The Northwest College wrestling team has had a longstanding tradition as one of the top junior college programs in the country. However, as the 2021-22 season starts next week, they will field their … more

By Seth Romsa | 10/28/21

NJCAA lightens sanctions against NWC wrestlers

NJCAA sanctions against Northwest College wrestling have been eased. College officials announced Thursday that the 10 Trapper wrestlers who used an off-campus sauna in March will not be forced to … more

By Carson Field | 6/22/21

Northwest College hosts the Apodaca Duals on Jan. 29. A majority of NWC wrestlers and coach Jim Zeigler have been suspended for eight dates as a result of a ‘severe weigh-in violation’ in March.

NWC wrestlers, coach suspended after sauna use

A majority of Northwest College’s wrestlers and head coach Jim Zeigler have been suspended for the rest of the season and part of the next for a “severe weigh-in violation” last … more

By Carson Field | 4/15/21

Trapper wrestler Tahjae Jenkins-Harris (left) competes in a dual earlier this season. Jenkins-Harris defeated the No. 6 wrestler in NJCAA over the weekend in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

NWC wrestling continues improvement in Idaho

The first few months of the 2021 season have been a climb for Northwest College wrestling, and the team reached its highest point so far this past weekend. Competing in Coeur d’Alene, … more

By Carson Field | 3/16/21

Trapper wrestler Ryker Blackburn (top) goes on offense against Tyler Scheurn of Wyoming Western College during the Apodaca Duals at Northwest College. Blackburn went 2-0 over the weekend with a forfeit and then a pin of Northeastern’s Gabriel Garcia.

Northwest Trapper wrestlers ‘improve focus’ in dual wins

After a couple of disappointing duals to begin the 2021 season, Northwest College wrestling made strides at its most recent competition. The Trappers won duals over Otero Junior College (20-18) … more

By Carson Field | 3/4/21

Trapper freshman wrestler Tahjae Jenkins-Harris from Las Vegas works to get out from under Connor Davis, a Northeastern Junior college grappler during last month’s Apodaca Duals. Harris won this match by major decision.

NWC wrestling ‘overmatched’ in Great Falls

The Northwest College wrestling team’s most recent outing has head coach Jim Zeigler looking for answers. The Trappers ventured to Great Falls, Montana, for a dual at University of … more

By Carson Field | 2/16/21

Ryker Blackburn pins Northeast Junior College’s Gabriel Garcia Saturday, helping NWC earn a 40-11 dual win. Blackburn also picked up the lone NWC win against Wyoming Western College. The Trappers opened the season 1-1 at the annual Apodaca duals.

Trappers go 1-1 in Apodaca Duals

As they are every year, the 2021 Apodaca Duals were memorable. Not only did Saturday’s duals mark the Northwest College wrestling team’s first official competition in almost a … more

By Carson Field | 2/4/21

Brayden Lowry competes in a dual during the 2020 Trapper wrestling season. He is a returner on this year’s squad, which begins its 2021 season Friday with the annual Apodaca Duals.

Zeigler, NWC wrestling ready for ‘groundbreaking’ Apodaca duals

At one point, it was hard to imagine Northwest College being able to wrestle in the 2020-21 school year. COVID-19 pushed the winter season to January, and the Trappers’ fall preparations were … more

By Carson Field | 1/28/21

Northwest College head wresting coach Jim Zeigler encourages a Trapper wrestler during the Apodaca Dual in January. Because of COVID-19’s restrictions, Zeigler has focused the 2020 fall on immersing the team in the community and making sure student-athletes are excelling in the classroom.

Free year: NWC wrestling excited for pressure-free 2021 season

As it has been for other teams at Northwest College, the 2020 fall has been unconventional for Trapper wrestling. Positive COVID-19 tests put a hold on the team’s wrestling practices just days … more

By Carson Field | 11/24/20