{gallery}02_25_10/phswrestling{/gallery}Senior Joe Lujan scores nearfall points on his Lander opponent in action last month. Lujan is one of eight regional champions for the Panthers, and will enter the state tournment on Friday as the top seed from the West Regional Tribune photo by Don AmendPHS wrestlers look solid heading into State Championships Two straight 3A championship trophies are already in the trophy case at Powell High School, and the Powell Panthers are heading for Casper this week intending to add a third one.The Panthers are the favorites to repeat as champions, based on their domination of the West Regional tournament, which produced 23 qualifiers for state, including eight regional champions who will enter state competition as the top seeds from the west, as well as a 46-21 dual meet victory over East Regional champion Douglas

But winning again isn't a given, according to Panther coach Nate Urbach. Douglas also had a good regional, winning seven regional championships and qualifying 19 Bearcats for this week's competition.

Moreover, the Bearcats, who finished 36 points behind the Panthers last year and 35 the year before, are no doubt tired of playing the bridesmaid's role, giving them extra motivation this year.

Throw in the competition from Worland, Lander, Wheatland and strong individual wrestlers from other teams, and anything can happen in a tournament. A case in point is the East Regional heavyweight championship, won by the Douglas Bearcat JV wrestler, who upset the top-ranked heavyweight 16-3 in the finals to earn the top seed at state.

What it boils down to, according to Urbach, is what happens out on the mats when competition starts.

“It all depends on how we wrestle,” Urbach said.

The Panthers know they need to be at the top of their game this weekend and give it their best effort.

“We've worked hard for it,” said senior Joe Lujan, the regional champion at 215. “We have to leave it all on the mat.”

Senior 185-pounder Monte Nickles, another regional champ, agreed.

“We've got to end it on a high note,” Nickles said. “The last one has to be the best one.”

Besides their team spirit, the Panthers have individual motivation as well. Senior Auston Carter is coming off his fourth straight regional championship and is shooting to become Powell's first four-time state champion. Jessee Craig, who missed last season's tournament with an injury, has lost two straight matches to Worland's Jared Leithead, both by 8-4 scores, and is determined to meet his nemesis again in the finals.

Joining Lujan, Nickles and Carter as top seeds from the west are Colt Nix at 130, Randy Andrews at 140, Jimmy Seckman at 152, Cole Kary at 160 and Trevor Griffeth at 285. Craig will be the second seed at 119, as will Luke Wozney at 112, Trent Gillett at 135 and Danny Harris at 171.

At 125, Olie Olson will be the third seed and Zach Thiel will be fourth. Other third seeds include Robert Friday at 112, Waylon Bays at 145 and Beau Williams at 171. Dylan Rood will be seeded fourth at 103, along with Clay Saldana at 152.

Charles Wittick (103), Drew Feller (112), Mike Mundy (160), and Kurt Bullinger (215) will all enter as unseeded wrestlers.

Every wrestler will play a role in the Panther's drive to repeat. While only one wrestler in each weight can score team points, the non-scoring wrestlers will take points away from opponents when they win matches, so bringing home a trophy is up to the whole team.

“It's going to be tough,” Urbach said. “It's all up to us.”