Winning and Pinning: Five champs, eight top placers lead great day at 3A East regionals, State up next for Herders

   The Glenrock High School boys wrestling team had been a problem for many teams this season and that continued over the weekend at the first of two postseason events. The group made this most of competing on home mats for the final time and delivered five champions and eight top-three finished Feb. 20 at the 3A East Regionals finals. 

It was showcase of a quality talent from this side of is the state as the top three teams were only separated by 14 points. Torrington took the team title among eight teams with 202.5 points, just ahead of runner-up Rawlins at 193.5 and Glenrock third with 188.5.

Regionals does not have a match for fifth through eighth places but the top right stickers all qualify for State The State finals still be held Feb. 26-28 at Wyoming Ford Center. 

One accomplishment away from the podium that was earned last week was by Manny Coulter. He was selected as the first recipient of the Cory Yingling Sportsmanship Award. 

In the action, the Herders were led by the best in Wyoming. Two-time State champion made quick work of his three matches to win the 126-pound regional championship once again.

Allen (37-1) had a delayed start with an opening bye. When the action did start, he make quick work of Skylen Smith (Torrington) and won by fall at 1:15.

The Herder went on to the semi finals where he unleashed a convincing 15-0 tech fall against Greg Vrooman (Douglas) in 2:45. He won the first-place match by medical forfeit over Grady Bohlander (Wheatland).

It took one more match than Allen but standout was also untouchable in the 157 division. He scored three pins in his way to taking home a regional crown of his own.

Stewart (39-6) was fantastic from the start as he took down Anthony Martinez (Rawlins) with a 19-2 tech fall in 2:17. He followed that by beating Xavier Sanchez (Torrington) by fall at 0:32.

Stewart steam rolled his way into the semi finals where scored a fall over Jax Thurin (Burns/Pine Bluffs) in 3:00. The title match was much of the same as he pinned Colby Sandusky (Torrington) at 3:30.

Among the 175s, Preston Sorensen (40-8) walk away with some gold of his own. The senior didn’t show any match to go the distance as he scored the 3A championships.

The Herder kicked off his final regional by taking down Bennan Lopez (Douglas) via fall in 1:52. He followed that new get past Joey Mohren (Burns/Pine Bluffs)  in the same way at the 1:19 to reach the finals.

That’s where Sorensen’s incredible final season continued with more success. He pinned Colby Milnes (Wheatland) 1:02 for another first place added to his resume.

Joel Williams (37-7) has thrived in his first season and regionals  much like the rest of his season. He delivered four wins on his way to capturing first in the 190 division.

The Herder started his daily sweep by beating Carter Lawson (Buffalo) courtesy of a fall at 1:50. He followed that by sending Noah Ibarra (Torrington) packing with a quick pin in 1:08.

Williams moved onto the semi finals where he took down cross-county foe Jackson Boggs (Douglas) via fall at 0:57. He was tested in the finale but the result was the same when he beat Connor Rothenberger (Rawlins) by fall at 5:48.

Brady Calmes (34-7) was just as perfect at 215 pounds. He added four more wins to his overall record in taking the title of the 215 weight class.

Calmes kicked off his busy day by defeating Micheal Madden (Rawlins) via fall in 2:22. He Impressive in the next trip into the mat were he by the way against Carter Caturia (Buffalo) in 1:56.

The Herder made it three in the when he pinned Jack Harberts (Douglas) at 1:58 in the semis. That led to the finals when he was challenged but not denied in beating Kreed Kuntz (Wheatland) by fall in 3:23.

Nick Ticknor (22-12) reached the finals of the 106 division and finished second best. His victories included a dominating 16-0 tech fall against Asic Dawson (Newcastle) and a thrilling 6-5 decision over Mason Jolley (Douglas) to reach the finals.

Rian Selby (26-14) captured second place at 120 pounds. He advanced to the championship by beating Jonas Hendricks (Torrington) by fall at 5:44 and later pinning Kael Gudahl (Wheatland) in 5:24.

Hunter Rivera (19-13) had a busy day in the 138 eight class where he won three times in talking home third. That journey started by persevering in an me 18-15 sudden victory against Troy Christensen (Newcastle).

After taking his only defeat, Rivera bounced back and pinned Maverick Valdes (Rawlins) in 0:47. He took the third-place match by fall over Troy Christensen (Newcastle) in 1:33.

Wes Holman (28-17) delivered a couple of wins at 144 pounds. He won by fall over Adam Butler (Newcastle) at 1:31 and scored a thrilling 6-4 decision against Xabi Hellman (Rawlins).

Also pinning wins at regionals were Khanan Caston (12-8, 157 pounds) and Kyler Sorensen (10-9, 190 pounds).