Herder wrestlers gear up for State

By Brianna Garcia,

Independent Staff

Having just come out of regionals, the Herder wrestling team is gearing up to head to State for their biggest matches of the season.

The Herders were one of 10 teams to compete in the 2A East Regionals. The team placed sixth with a score of 69 points.

Wrestling coach Coley Wondra took 11 wrestlers to regionals and had nine qualify for state. 

  “To have nine qualify was a positive day. We were peaking at the right time, and I think we performed better than what a lot of people thought we were going to,” Wondra said. “We’re all really excited to be heading to the Ford Wyoming Center next weekend.”

RESULTS:

Grady Longwell placed sixth in the 113-weight class behind Kanean Roberts of Saratoga.

Wrestler Alex Cerny just made the state qualification placing eighth in the 126-weight class. 

Senior Talon Granaas (132) placed fourth falling to Pace Garrett of Wright.

JD Holman (138) placed sixth and Lonnie Masopust (152) placed fifth. 

In the 170-weight class, Julian Pinkerton placed sixth while junior Dusty Cox took second after losing the first-place match to Colten Smith of Wright. 

Junior Herder Hayden Huyser won the 182-weight class over Miles Ashurst of Niobrara County. 

Heavyweight Max Coulter placed fourth in the 220-weight class taking a fall against Kagan Lawrence of Hulett.

The Purple Herd Pride head to Casper for the State wrestling tournament next weekend against the best of the best in the state.