Grizzlies place multiple wrestlers at Don Runner Tournament

Braving the frigid temperatures of the recent January cold snap, the Rocky Mountain Grizzlies made their way to Pavillion last Friday and Saturday for the annual Don Runner Memorial tournament, hosted by Wind River High School.

The Grizz placed 10^th out of 12 teams in the boys tournament with 62 team points, just two points behind ninth-place Shoshoni and ahead of Hanna-Elk Mountain and Wyoming Indian.

Three wrestlers placed for the Grizzlies Saturday with Triffen Jolley and Masen Twomey placing third and Sam Loyning fourth.

“Don Runner was a great test for some of the wrestlers,” coach Eddie Whiting said. “We still have minimal mistakes that we are working on. Nonetheless, these young athletes are improving each time they step on the mat. Triffen Jolley has made a huge gain. He’s been showing great leadership and ability to make smart decisions for feeling where he is on the mat. Another athlete that has come a long way is Masen Twomey. He still has work to be done but is excelling fast.

“Sam Loyning and Emmilee Wambeke both had some matches that were battles, but these two really have passion for this sport. I am excited to get to the drawing board and head to Moorcroft.”

Jolley, a sophomore, went 4-1 at 144 pounds, battling back from an early loss to Jackson Larsen of Riverton to pin Bryland Davis of Wind River in 48 seconds, Damien Duran of Riverton in 52 seconds, Cody West of Lander in 1:41 and Reece Whisenant of Greybull/Riverside in 31 seconds in the third-place match.

Freshman Twomey wrestled to a 3-1 record at 215 pounds. After a first-round bye, he won by injury default over Blake Snyder of Wind River, fell by pin to Kalell Gruell of Lovell in 1:18, pinned teammate Wyatt Houchin in 2:30 and pinned Atom Lindsey of Saratoga in 2:01 to place third.

Loyning, a freshman wrestling at 120 pounds, opened with a 6-5 decision over Wyatt Holloway of Lander, fell to Cannon Boren of Thermopolis by pin in 1:46, pinned Kash Carpenter of Lander in 3:56 and lost to Zayden Stahl of Lovell 17-1.

Five others won at least one match for the Grizz. Sophomore Jacoby Wachob went 1-2 at 132 pounds, beating Remyngton Martinez of Wind River 10-2, and Burlington junior Michael Bassett went 2-2 at 138, pinning Michael Wright of Lander and Skyler Wood of Saratoga in 1:39 for his two wins.

Freshman William Torres was 1-2 at 175, pinning Roxton Lookingbill of Riverton in 3:51 for his win, and Burlington senior Hunter Aagard was 1-2 at 190, sticking Wyatt Eadus of Shoshoni in 2:27 for his lone victory.

Houchin went 2-2 at 215, pinning Paul York of Riverton in 56 seconds and Kyler Mickelson of Lovell in 3:57 for his two wins.

Also wrestling in Pavillion were Colten Bitton at 126 pounds and Dalan Wambeke at 126.

In the girls tournament, sophomore Emmilee Wambeke placed fourth at 120 pounds with a 1-2 record, pinning Kiley Bridger of Shoshoni in 2:19 for her win. Junior Rebecca Herren was 0-2 at 130 pounds.

Next up, the Grizzlies will travel to Moorcroft for the Dylan Humes Memoral Tournament this Friday and Saturday. Action is scheduled to begin Friday at 11 a.m. and resume Saturday at 9 a.m.