The Powell Panther girls’ wrestling team brought home three medalists after a strong weekend on the mat, including two finalists as the Panthers ended the season on a high note in Casper.

FINALISTS

The first finalist for the Panthers was Allison LeBlanc, who put together a gritty performance to make the championship bout at 110 pounds.

“The night before we left for state, Allison hurt her knee during practice. After getting it checked out, we found out she had sprained her MCL,” coach David Holland said. “We weren’t sure what to expect, but Allison’s resilience shone through.”

LeBlanc started the weekend with a pin of Wind River’s Olivia Remacle in 3 minutes, 55 seconds, before a difficult matchup in the quarterfinals against the top seed from the east.

LeBlanc cut her opponent and used a late takedown with just four seconds left to defeat Cheyenne Central’s Abby Vroman 6-5 to advance to the semifinals.

In the semifinals LeBlanc faced Shoshoni’s Sawyer Arnhold, who had defeated LeBlanc two times this season.

“Allison fought hard, and in the third period chose the top position, confident she could get the pin,” Holland said.

LeBlanc worked into the pin at the 5:26 mark to advance to her second state championship bout in three years.

In the final she matched up with Pinedale’s Kaylea Mortensen, a prior state champion at 105 pounds.

Mortensen got the better of LeBlanc just before the end of the first period with a pin in 1:55.

“Though she didn’t win, Allison’s performance showed incredible grit,” Holland said. “Many athletes would’ve called it a season after an injury, but she refused to let anything stop her. Becoming a two-time finalist for Powell was an amazing achievement. She has big goals for next year and is already focused on off-season training to prepare for her senior year, where she has the potential to become a four-time medalist.”

The second Panther finalist was Eleasah Horsley at 115 pounds, who cruised in her first match against Evanston’s Shaelyn Larkin to earn a pin at the 1:59 mark.

She followed that up with a 16-3 major decision over Cheyenne East’s Raine Brekhus in the quarterfinal to guarantee a placement at the state tournament.

“Eleasah showed remarkable growth this season. Last year, she didn’t place at state and was a .500 wrestler, but this season she broke the school record for wins with 37,” Holland said. “She entered the state tournament with a chip on her shoulder. Her father has been deployed overseas this year, and it’s been tough for Eleasah, as she’s very close to him. I encouraged her to stay focused on wrestling and not let emotions interfere. It was a great moment when her dad was able to FaceTime us a few times, and the joy on her face was priceless.”

She added another dominant win in the semifinals, defeating Wind River’s Lily Hill with a pin.

“Eleasah dominated every match leading up to the state finals,” Holland said.

In the final, Horsley rematched against Kemmerer’s Laynee Walker, and unfortunately got caught in the first period and was pinned at the 1:44 mark.

“Eleasah fought hard, but she got caught in one of Walker’s specialties, and the match ended in defeat,” Holland said. “While many athletes would’ve been content with a finals appearance, Eleasah was upset because she wanted to win the state title. We had a great conversation afterward, and I know she’s more determined than ever to reach the top of the podium.”

FIFTH PLACE FINISH

The third and final placer for the Panthers was Nalani Jordan, who bounced back from an opening round 15-10 loss to earn a medal at 135 pounds.

After the loss to Moorcroft’s Sydney Rozell, Jordan followed that with a pin, an 8-4 decision and another pin to reach the consolation semifinals.

She fell via a pin in that round, before earning one last pin in the fifth place match over Lyman’s Peyton Hadden in 2:27.

“I told her losing the first match was tough, but we would take it one match at a time to make it to the podium,” Holland said. “Nalani proved that the only one who can beat her is Nalani herself, and I couldn’t be prouder of her drive to come back after a tough first match.”

GAINING EXPERIENCE

Powell had two more competitors at the state tournament, as Caydee Eden (100) and Ellidi Joy (155) were able to gain valuable experience.

Eden earned a first round win before two difficult pins in the quarterfinal and consolation round, while Joy was pinned twice in her two matches.

“I told her (Eden) to remember how this felt, and use the hurt as motivation for next season,” Holland said, adding that as for Joy, “For a first-year wrestler to end the season with such a positive attitude is what we hope for. She’s planning to return next season, and I’m excited to see her continue to improve.”

SEASON WRAPS

Overall the Panthers finished ninth as a team with 63 points, earning a spot in the top 10 amongst a crowded field of 45 teams.

“Finishing in the top 10 with only five girls competing in a single division for girls’ wrestling shows just how tough and determined this group is,” Holland said. “Looking into next season, we will strive for much bigger goals, but for now I am thankful for a successful season. Coach Aimee [Kawano] was such a big contributor in so many ways this season. She made such positive relationships with the girls and learned valuable experience.”

Holland also thanked the other experienced coaches who helped in his first year coaching the girls, as well as the supportive parents.

“It takes a full team to credit success and I am thankful that this community believes in Powell wrestling,” he said.

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

Weight class in ()

Team scores — 1. Star Valley 207.5, 2. Sheridan 119, 3. Kemmerer 97, 4. Cheyenne East 93.5, 5. Pinedale 76.5, 6. Thermopolis 68.5, 7. Cheyenne Central 68, 8. Natrona County 66, 9. Powell 63, 10. Lander 60.5, 11. Cody 56, 12. Shoshoni 53.5, T13. Campbell County and Rawlins 53, 15. Wind River 51, 16. Green River 46, 17. Lyman 45, 18. Thunder Basin 39, 19. Torrington 37, 20. Glenrock 36.5, 21. Evanston 35, 22. Riverton 34, T23. Laramie and Lingle-Ft. Laramie/Southeast 31, T25. Greybull/Riverside, Jackson and Rock Springs 30, T28. Lovell and Newcastle 25, 30. Wheatland 24, 31. Big Piney 22, 32. Burns/Pine Bluffs 21, 33. Worland 19, 34. Moorcroft 18, 35. Wright 17, T36. Hanna Elk Mountain and Hulett 15, 38. Kelly Walsh 11, T39. Douglas and Mountain View 8, 41. Sundance 5, 42. Cheyenne South 4, 43. Rocky Mountain 3, T44. Tongue River and Upton 0

Caydee Eden (100) — Eden def. Michell Henman (Kelly Walsh) via pin, 2:58; Ellie Bouzis (Campbell County) def. Eden via pin, 3:55; Sage Lichtenberger (Newcastle) def. Eden via pin, 1:42

Allison LeBlanc (110) — LeBlanc def. Olivia Remacle (Wind River) via pin, 3:55; LeBlanc def. Abby Vroman (Cheyenne Central) via 6-5 decision; LeBlanc def. Sawyer Arnhold (Shoshoni) via pin, 5:26; Kaylea Mortensen (Pinedale) def. LeBlanc via pin, 1:55

Eleasah Horsley (115) — Horsley def. Shaelyn Larkin (Evanston) via pin, 1:59; Horsley def. Raine Brekhus (Cheyenne East) via 16-3 major decision; Horsley def. Lily Hill (Wind River) via pin, 3:32; Laynee Walker (Kemmerer) def. Horsley via pin, 1:44

Nalani Jordan (135) — Sydney Rozell (Moorcroft) def. Jordan via 15-10 decision; Jordan def. Olivia Herget (Cheyenne Central) via pin, 1:51; Jordan def. Halley House (Cheyenne East) via 8-4 decision; Jordan def. Abby Turner (Mountain View) via pin, 4:56; Gabby Dowling (Greybull/Riverside) def. Jordan via pin, 2:31; Jordan def. Peyton Hadden (Lyman) via pin, 2:27

Ellidi Joy (155) — Lainah Blankenship (Thunder Basin) def. Joy via pin, :12; Page Tisdale (Campbell County) def. Joy via pin, :26