PHS coach expects deeper meet this weekend

Days after being downgraded to No. 2 behind Douglas in the state polls, the Powell High School wrestling team prepares to travel to Lander this weekend for the 3A West regional meet. It is an event that head coach Nate Urbach describes as the “first round” of the state tournament.

“The goal there is really to set yourself up and increase your odds as much as possible for the state tournament,” said Urbach. “In many ways, it is the first round of the state tournament.”

That first round could be a little more challenging this year than in seasons past, Urbach notes. Many of the teams feature core groups of seniors, making them deep on experience.

“It’s a deeper region than what we’ve seen in the past,” Urbach said. “It’ll be a good tournament, that’s for certain. Lander will be tough. Mountain View has some good kids.”

And then there’s Star Valley, which dropped down from 4A to 3A this season. The Braves are viewed as a bit of a wildcard on the eve of the 3A West tournament.

“Star Valley has really been dealing with the injury bug all year,” Urbach said. “They’ve really never fielded a full team yet at any tournament they’ve been to, so nobody is really sure where they go.”

Despite that, Urbach is giving the Braves their due.

“They’ll be right there with us and with Lander,” he said. “All three schools are pretty senior heavy.”

“We want to be in the mix and to win it,” Urbach said. “We’ve got everyone where we want them to be. Knock on wood, we’re as good health-wise as you can be after three and a half months of battles. Now we need to go set ourselves up for state.”

A number of Panthers will carry individual rankings into this weekend’s tournament. The latest Wyowrestling.com poll shows the following Powell grapplers ranked within their individual weight classes — Charles Wittick (first at 106), Colbee Craig (third at 113), Dylan Rood (third at 120), Andrew Feller (third at 126), Zach Thiel (sixth at 132), Waylon Bays (third at 145), Randy Andrews (first at 152), Tyler Patterson (second at 160), Olie Olson (third at 170), Zach Thompson (second at 195), Kurt Bullinger (fifth at 220) and Spencer Schultz (seventh at 285).

Of all the weight classes, the 120-pound bracket could be among the marquee matchups this weekend. The top three wrestlers in the state at that division will all be on the mat in Lander. The 106, 152 and 170-pound brackets also contain three of the top four wrestlers in Wyoming 3A.