Wrestlers on the Rise

The Glenrock Wrestling Club placed 14 finishers in one of the state’s biggest tournaments.

The Bearcat Brawl, which is held in Douglas every March, is one of the largest wrestling tournaments in the state, drawing clubs from all over Wyoming and surrounding states. 

Glenrock was one of 41 teams to partake in the tournament, consisting of four age brackets and three different wrestling styles.

The wrestlers are separated into 6U, 8U, 10U and 12U and into their respective weight classes where they are given the opportunity to compete in Greco, freestyle and folkstyle wrestling. 

“We performed pretty well across the board as a team,” coach Ross Allen said. “I think every kid came in and wrestled to their potential. It was a very busy day but luckily we had enough coaches for the kids, it was exciting and a little stressful at times. Every one that participated did really well and we had a good amount of kids who really stood out.”

Glenrock’s Wesston Allen, a 56-pounder in the 8U bracket, was one more win away from being awarded the coveted Brawler Belt, a custom-made belt themed after Douglas’ Bearcat mascot that the tournament gives to any wrestler who can finish first in all three styles.

Allen was able to come out on top in the free and folk styles, but came in second place in the Greco category. He is joined by Brady Calmes and Brady Allen as the only three Glenrock grapplers to place in the top six of all three categories.

Calmes. who wrestles at 82 pounds in the 12U bracket, placed fourth in Greco and freestyle, and came in sixth in folkstyle. 

Brady Allen came in third in all three events in the 12U bracket at 78 pounds.

The team also had two more first place finishers.

Nick Ticknor came out on top in folkstyle for 12U at 58 pounds, while Kristian Martin did the same at 108 pounds. 

Kable Allen (6U, 45 pounds), Noah Olwell (6U, 42-45 pounds), Cord Smith (10U, 53 pounds), Wes Holman (10U, 71 pounds), Javante Givens (12U, 67 pounds), Preston Loyd (12U, 95 pounds), Gene Hershley (12U, 160 pounds) and John Holman (14U, 106 pounds) all placed sixth or higher in at least one of the three events for the team.

“These kids show hard work and dedication to the sport at practice as well as at home,” Allen said. “Wrestling takes skill, but mostly it takes a lot of heart and drive and will to succeed. The kids who work hard always seem to do better.”

Glenrock will try to build off of that success at this weekend’s King Of The Rock Wrestling Tournament.

The tournament will be held at Glenrock High School beginning 5:30 p.m. Friday and running into Saturday afternoon.

Like the Bearcat Brawl, any wrestler who can finish at the top of their class in all three styles will receive a special King Of The Rock trophy.