Bulldog wrestlers bring home medals from Moorcroft

The Lovell Bulldogs traveled to Moorcroft Friday and Saturday to compete in the Dylan Humes Memorial Tournament.
“This is one of the toughest meets of the season,” said head wrestling coach Ty Hecker, explaining that the tournament brought in 2A, 3A, 4A and tough out-of-state competition. “I was very proud of the whole team. Everyone wrestled tough and have been doing the right things by showing up to practice and making weight,” Hecker added.
Out of 27 teams, the boys varsity team managed to pull off seventh place overall at the tournament.
“Placing that high as a team, especially against 3A and 4A teams, I am very happy with the way we wrestled for that place,” Hecker said. Several varsity wrestlers who placed in the top six helped add to the team score.
Rosendo Garcia, competing in the 285-pound weight class, pinned three of his opponents in the first period to land him in the finals against Hulett’s Christian Reilly.
“Garcia made it to the finals with the two-time returning state champion who was also 50 pounds heavier than him,” Hecker said. The match was carried out until the third period, but ultimately Garcia placed second to Reilly.
Hecker touched on Garcia’s performance, noting, “He wrestled him well, but there are some things we could improve on. Rosendo is a tough kid at a tough tournament.”
On the girls side of the tournament, Danika Crumrine competed in the 135-pound weight class in the women’s division and pinned both of her opponents to land her in the finals against Paityn Covolo of Sheridan. With Crumrin taking second place, Hecker commented on Crumrine’s performance, noting, “Danika is one of the toughest humans I know. She has dealt with injuries and setbacks, but there was a silver lining this weekend. She has proved that not only can she wrestle with her shoulder, but she can compete with the top ladies in the state.”
Hecker concluded by saying the team is going back to work this week.
“Crumrine will be headed into the next tournament with a new and improved aggressive attitude,” he said.
Dino Delacruz was the second highest placing Bulldog at the tournament, sealing third place in the 106-pound weight class.
“Dino has been on a tear for the last two weeks, only losing to one out-of-state kid, which sent him back to wrestle for third this weekend,” Hecker said. “He has been wrestling with a lot of confidence, including hitting spladles on varsity kids.” Posting a 5-1 record this weekend, Delacruz finished the tournament with a 5-2 major decision against his Sheridan opponent for third.
“With the way things are looking right now with Dino, I have high hopes he’ll come out as a state champion” Hecker said.
Zayden Stahl competed in the 120-pound weight class and faced tough competition in the semi-finals, sending him to the opposite side of the bracket.
“Stahl wrestled on the edge this weekend, which he has to do in order to be competitive,” Hecker explained. “He showed a lot of fire and aggressiveness, which helped him to be successful.” Stahl took fourth with a 3-2 record.
Mason Christenson wrestled back in the consolation rounds to take fifth place in the 132-pound weight class. Hecker explained that Christenson’s bracket was one of the tougher weight classes and noted he wrestled well against his opponents.
“I’ve seen a new side of him since coming back from Christmas, which is paying off in tournaments,” the coach said.
In the JV tournament, a handful of Bulldog wrestlers also managed to secure a placing spot in their respective brackets. JV results are as followed:
Second place: Hudsen Mickelson, 110-115 Division, 1-1 record; Porter Blau, 130-139 Division, 2-1 record; Stetson Asay, 139-149 Division, 2-1 record.
Third Place: Tyler Wilkerson, 99-107 Division, 3-1 record; Chance Hatch, 139-146 Division, 3-1 record; Kyler Mickelson, 191-200 Division, 2-1 record.
This weekend the team will travel to Riverton to compete at the Ron Thon Memorial Friday and Saturday. The tournament features more than 30 schools from across Wyoming, mixing Class 2A, 3A and 4A competition. Wrestlers will have a chance to prove whether they really are the “best of the best” in the state.