For the first time in four years the Powell Middle School Cubs wrestling team claimed the Big Horn Basin Conference crown, dominating the competition in Thermopolis in early December en route to a 59-point victory over the next closest team.

Leading the way for the Cubs was a strong group that led to six individual champions in the ‘A’ division at the conference meet.

That included Rhett Goolsbey who went 2-0 at 70 pounds; Auzzy Carter who went 3-0 at 98 pounds; Russell Goolsbey went 3-0 and won at 105 pounds; Ethan Ely went 2-0 and won at 138 pounds; Trevon Morton went 3-0 and won at 155 pounds and Connor Farwell went 2-0 and won at 175 pounds.

In addition to those six winners in the ‘A’ division the Cubs had three additional wrestlers make the finals.

Tucker McDonald went 2-1 at 84 pounds; Isaiah Torres went 3-1 at 120 pounds and Justin Marquez went 1-1 at 145 pounds.

Powell got additional help from two third place finishers, with Kasen Asay going 2-1 at 70 pounds and Brayden Benander going 3-1 at 115 pounds.

Forest Kleinfeldt placed fourth after going 2-2 at 110 pounds.

“They are hard workers and just fun kids to be around,” coach Nate Urbach said.

Also competing in the ‘A’ division at the tournament were Mason Cheatham at 77 pounds (3-2); Garrett Davis at 91 pounds (2-2) and Tristan Honomichl-Snell at 220 pounds (1-2).

The girls’ wrestlers also had a strong season, with five placing in the top two at the final tournament.

Avery LeBlanc won at 84 pounds after going 3-0; Joriana Hine won at 105 pounds and went 3-0 while Hailey Gines went 2-0 and won at 145 pounds. The Cub girls won all eight of those matches via pin.

Neveah Andrews placed second and went 1-1 while Eva Wilson went 0-2 at 155 pounds to also take second.

“We have grown in numbers and quality for the last couple of years,” Urbach said of the girls’ program.

In the ‘B’ division for the boys the Cubs had one winner, with Owen Jones going 3-0 to win at 115 pounds.

Powell also got three second place wrestlers, with William Taylor going 1-1 at 70 pounds; Blake Bessler finishing 2-1 at 98 pounds and James Schaefer going 3-1 at 105 pounds.

Jonathan Haney placed third at 91 pounds after going 5-1 and Channing Wenzel also placed third after going 5-1.

Fourth place finishers included Hunter Moulton at 84 pounds (3-2) and Luke Childers at 105 pounds (3-2).

Other competitors in the ‘B’ division included Tanner Quinterno at 77 pounds (1-2); Darrell Mumm at 98 pounds (1-2); Levi Rogers at 105 pounds (2-2); Desmond Bear at 105 pounds (1-2); Kooper Arends at 115 pounds (1-2) and Wade Genhart at 126 pounds (0-2).

With a large team the Cubs showed improvement throughout the year, with Urbach noting that every kid grew by seasons’ end.

“Too many to list them all,” Urbach said. “The whole team showed steady improvement throughout the year.”

In that large team was a great number of athletes in sixth and seventh grade this year, as the Cubs will return 188 of their 226 points scored at the conference meet.

The team finished 59 points ahead of second place Lander which had 167 and third place Cody had 158.

“We will miss the eighth graders. They were good leaders and wrestlers but the bulk of the team is back for next year so the future looks bright,” Urbach said.