The mindset for Powell High School wrestling has been simple lately: a little better every week.

The Panthers returned to the mat Saturday and built on its season-long growth, going 2-1 at the Ron Thon Quad in Riverton. 

“We wrestled hard all weekend and we’re continuing to take steps,” PHS head coach Nick Fulton said.

Powell’s only defeat of the weekend came to Kelly Walsh, the defending back-to-back state champions in Class 4A. Despite falling 46-21, PHS was able to win four matches against an elite program. 

“Our guys wrestled really well against them,” Fulton said. “They’re a really good team, well-coached, and we fought.”

Later in the weekend, PHS cruised to wins over Riverton and Lander Valley. The Panthers won 43-18 over Lander and then beat Riverton 39-36.

About a month ago, Fulton stressed that the team had serious work to do before competing at postseason events. Since then, PHS has shown steady growth, defeating several strong opponents and showing more fight in losses. 

“It’s important in January because this is when a lot of teams stagnate,” Fulton said. “We’re continuing to grow, and getting better in the matches we lose, at least competing. That’s the mindset.”

Several individuals stood out to Fulton Saturday, and freshman Jimmy Dees was one of them. At the 182-pound class, Dees pinned Kelly Walsh’s Jesse Thornton — the No. 2 wrestler in 4A entering the weekend — in 2:19. 

“That’s a great win for a freshman or anyone,” Fulton said of Dees. “He had a really positive mentality in that match.”

Weston Thomas moved down to the 113-pound class and went 3-0 on the weekend, pinning a couple of strong opponents. And Riley Bennett also moved down to 145 pounds, where he went 3-0 as well. 

As the Panthers prepare for two events this week, the team’s mentality of steadily improving doesn’t change. 

“Just focusing on getting better ourselves,” Fulton said. “I can’t say that enough — just a little better every week.”

The Panthers kick things off this week at 5 p.m. when they host Cody, Riverton and Thermopolis at a home quad.

Kelly Walsh 46, Powell 21

106: Zoey Green (K.W.) over Trey Freemen (Dec 5-0) 

113: Weston Thomas over Luke Guseman (K.W.) (Fall 1:25) 

120: Logan Werner over Jack Wilson (K.W.) (Fall 5:11) 

126: Cole Wirtz (K.W.) over Emma Karhu (Fall 1:34) 

132: Treyson Davilla (K.W.) over Brent Childers (Fall 2:25) 

138: Garrett Marker (K.W.) over Mikey Timmons (Fall 1:32) 

145: Riley Bennett over Giovanni Lucchi (K.W.) (Dec 8-6) 

152: Analu Benabise (K.W.) over Seth Horton (MD 11-3) 

160: Noah Hone (K.W.) over Lannon Brazelton (Fall 1:11) 

170: Sam Henderson (K.W.) over Stetson Davis (Dec 10-3) 

182: Jimmy Dees over Jesse Thornton (K.W.) (Fall 2:16) 

195: Aragon Garro (K.W.) over (Forfeit) 

220: Dom Gray (K.W.) over Clayton Emmett (Fall 1:06)

Powell 43, Lander Valley 18

106: Coaltyn Laird (Lander) over Trey Freemen (Fall 0:53) 

113: Weston Thomas over Aiden Miller (Lander) (Fall 1:04) 

120: Logan Werner over Blaze Laird (Lander) (MD 9-0) 

126: Emma Karhu over Chad Snyder (Lander) (Dec 4-0) 

132: Brent Childers over Charles Snyder (Lander) (Fall 3:04) 

138: Paxton Rees (Lander) over Mikey Timmons (Fall 2:58) 

145: Riley Bennett over Gabe Harris (Lander) (Fall 1:48) 

152: Seth Horton over Conor Carey (Lander) (Fall 1:17) 

160: Lannon Brazelton over John Whitley (Lander) (Fall 3:35) 

182: Jack Sweeney (Lander) over Seston Shoopman (Fall 1:04) 

220: Clayton Emmett over Ty Spiess (Lander) (Fall 0:57)

Full results were unavailable from the Riverton match