It was a strong weekend for the Powell Panther wrestling team in Fremont County, defeating Riverton in a dual 60-15 before finishing in the top 10 as a team at the Ron Thon Memorial — with Stetson Davis earning an individual title at 220 pounds.

POWELL 60, RIVERTON 15

Starting out the extended weekend in Riverton on Thursday, the Panthers battled with the Wolverines in a dual where Powell dominated the hosts from the start.

Jimmy Dees (28-9) got things started at 195 pounds with a pin inside 30 seconds, before Davis (30-2) got a forfeit at 220 and Doug Bettger (16-11) got a pin within 30 seconds at 285 to start the match 18-0 after the heavyweights.

Gabriel Whiting (24-11) got a victory at 106 via a 4-0 decision and Tyler Wenzel (9-9) got a 12-7 victory at 113 to make it 24-0.

“He walked out and roughed Tyler up a little bit,” coach Nick Fulton said. “Tyler fought off his back and cleared bottom. I told him to stay steady and start shooting your single legs and wear this kid out. He came from behind and won 12-7, really great performance from Tyler. I was impressed with him in that dual, that’s a huge step for a freshman to beat a senior.”

Weston Thomas (17-17) got a pin at 120 pounds and Vinny Timmons (12-8) got a pin at 126 to extend the lead to 36-0.

Patrick Haney (3-2) won by pin at 132 pounds and Mitchel Wainscott (3-2) at 138 pounds recorded a pin to make the lead 48-0.

Riverton got its first points at 145 pounds, as a 10-8 sudden death victory got the Wolverines three points against Jeremy Harms (9-11) to make it 48-3.

“I was proud of that effort from Jeremy — he was down big early,” Fulton said. “A really gutty performance against a kid from Riverton.”

A forfeit for Jack Van Norman (5-4) at 152 pounds was followed by a forfeit at 160 by Powell to make it 54-9.

Lannon Brazelton (3-4) got a pin at 170 pounds and Dillon Melton (21-10) was pinned late at 182 pounds to make the final score 60-15 in favor of Powell.

“That was a good way for us to start the weekend,” Fulton said.

Yessenia Teague (20-6) earned two pins and Allison LeBlanc (10-15) earned a pin in the girls’ matches, while the junior varsity defeated Riverton 54-30.

RON THON MEMORIAL

Powell stayed in Riverton for the annual Ron Thon Memorial on Friday and Saturday, with more than 30 teams from around Wyoming converging on Riverton High School for the two-day event.

After a first round bye, Davis dominated through the bracket finishing with a tech fall, an 11-2 major decision in the quarterfinal and semifinal, then a pin in the first period over Keagan Bartlett (32-3) of Cheyenne Central in the final gave Davis the title.

“Boy, talk about dominating a bracket — 220 is a very tough bracket, several state champs and runners-up … Bartlett is a 4A two-time state runner-up, he’s a tough kid,” Fulton said.

The next highest placer for the boys was Dees at 195 pounds, advancing to the quarterfinals before losing to defending 4A state champion and eventual Ron Thon champ Noah Sides (33-4). Dees battled back through the consolation bracket to make the third place match before losing by pin late in the second round.

Thomas went 2-2 at 120 pounds; Timmons went 2-2 at 126 pounds; Valdez went 2-2 at 138 pounds; Melton went 2-2 at 182 pounds; Bettger went 2-2 at 285 pounds; Wyatt Nicholson (14-11) went 1-2 at 106 pounds; Brazelton went 1-2 at 170 pounds; Jonathan Harms went 1-2 at 220 pounds; Jeremy Harms went 0-2 at 145 pounds; Whiting went 0-2 at 106 pounds.

Whiting was forced out early after suffering a finger injury in his first match, medically forfeiting both of his bouts for the weekend.

“Our kids wrestled really well,” Fulton said. “We only had two kids seeded and some tough draws but I think that worked out well in our favor.”

On the girls’ side, Teague went 3-1 at 125 pounds, losing in the championship match to Laynee Walker (24-6) of Kemmerer.

LeBlanc finished 3-2 on the weekend, losing in the semifinal and third place match at 115 pounds.

The Ron Thon serves as more of a state preview for the girls, as the state competition at the end of February will be an all-class affair in the first year of girls’ wrestling.

In junior varsity, Fulton sent some of his younger wrestlers to compete, with Haney coming out on top at 132 pounds.

Wainscott earned a second place finish at 138 pounds, Jacob Eaton placed third at 220 pounds, Denton Wainscott placed fourth at 182 pounds and Seston Shoopman placed fifth at 182 pounds.

Overall the boys team placed 10th for varsity, and fourth among 3A teams in attendance.

HOME DUALS

Powell returns home for some late season action, beginning with a dual against 2A Thermopolis on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

“It’s a quick turnaround and we have some guys banged up,” Fulton said.

The Panthers will celebrate staff appreciation night on Tuesday, where each Panther senior will pick an educator who has made an impact on them in school.

Powell then turns around and faces Lander on Friday at 8 p.m. for senior night.