Panther wrestling claims crown

The Powell High School wrestling team won the 3A West regional title on Saturday by a comfortable 40-point margin. The Panthers advanced 11 wrestlers to the championship round and returned home with five regional champs.

Sixteen Panther grapplers placed in the top four over the weekend.

Entering the weekend, Panther head coach Nate Urbach had described the regional meet as the first round of the state tournament, noting that one of the team’s goals was to position itself in the best possible fashion for the state tournament in Casper. The Panthers appeared to do just that.

Powell advanced more wrestlers into the finals than either of the two schools expected to challenge the Panthers for the 3A West title. In the end, the Panthers scored a convincing 40-point victory over Lander, 255-215. Star Valley, which Urbach had described as a wild card due to the Braves’ preponderance of injuries during the regular season. placed third with 191 points.

The three schools far outdistanced the remainder of the 3A West field.

Earning regional titles for the Panthers were Charles Wittick (106), Waylon Bays (145), Randy Andrews (152), Olie Olson (160) and Zach Thompson (195). Colbee Craig (113), Andrew Feller (126), Zach Thiel (152), Tyler Patterson (170), Mike Mundy (182) and Kurt Bullinger (285) also reached the championship match, finishing as regional runners-up.

Dylan Rood (120), Matt Widdicome (126) and Clay Saldana (152) each secured third-place finishes for the Panthers. Colton Parham (113) and Spencer Shultz (220) rounded out the Panthers’ stable of placewinners from the weekend with fourth-place showings on the bracket.

The 2012 Wyoming High School Activities Association state wrestling championships take place this Friday and Saturday at the Events Center in Casper. The opening session starts at 9 a.m. on Friday. Quarterfinal action gets underway at 1:30 p.m. with the semifinals at 7 p.m.

Saturday’s action also begins at 9 a.m. with wrestle-back action. Matches for third and fifth-place honors will begin at approximately 2:30 p.m. with the championship round taking center stage at 5:15 p.m.

Admission to the state meet is $20 for an adult all-session pass or $15 for students. Single-day admission for adults is $11 on Friday and $12 on Saturday. For students, the cost is $8 on Friday and $9 on Saturday. Championship round tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students and do not include admmission to the third and fifth-place matches.

Team scores: Powell 255, Lander 215, Star Valley 191, Mountain View 109.5, Cody 101, Jackson 27, Lyman 24, Pinedale 18.5.

106 — Noah Wozney lost to Wittick, Pow.; won by fall over Jakobsen, Pine.; won by fall over Carey, Lan.; lost a major decision to Thompson, SV.

126 — Andrew Feller won by fall over Lewis, Jack.; won by fall over Rohrbacher, Lan.; won by fall over Tucker, MV; lost by decision to Kennington, SV. Regional runner-up at 126 pounds.

138 — Jared Wantulok won by fall over Mefferd, Lan.; lost by fall to West, Cody; lost by fall to Hoopes, SV.

145 — Waylon Bays won by decision over Beaudrie, Cody; won by decision over Semadeni, SV; won by decision over Maser, Lan. Regional champion at 145 pounds.

170 — Tyler Patterson won by fall over Montiel, Jack.; won by fall over Connell, Lan.; won by decision over Carter, Pine.; lost by decision to Menck, MV. Regional runner-up at 170 pounds.

182 — Mike Mundy won by fall over Schmillen, Jack.; won by fall over Hale, MV; won by injury default over Hanson, Lan.; lost by decision to McMillan, Cody. Regional runner-up at 182 pounds.

220 — Spencer Shultz lost by fall to Schneider, Lan.; won by fall over Denney, Pow.; lost by decision to Crane, Lan. Placed fourth overall.

220 — Erik Denney lost by decision to Crane, Lan.; lost by fall to Shultz, Pow.

285 — Kurt Bullinger won over Gard, Pow.; won by decision over Wolfley, SV; lost by fall to Hanson, Lan. Regional runner-up at 285 pounds.

285 — Rowdy Gard lost to Bullinger, Pow.; lost by fall to Wells, Lan.