Grizzly grapplers strong at Regionals

It was do or die for the Rocky Mountain Grizzlies and Lady Grizz as they competed at their respective regional tournaments last weekend.

Competing in Evanston Friday and Saturday, the Lady Grizz took on the best of the best in the all-class 4A West Regional.

Though no Lady Grizzlies placed, sophomore Charlee Anderson qualified for State at 190 pounds.

“The 4A West girls produced some heartbreak, but we also showed a lot of improvement, though the blood rounds got us,” head coach Eddie Whiting said. “Charlee Anderson, our lone girl state qualifier, wrestled hard, but we came up short to the medal round which in my mind is OK. It’s not the tournament we are looking for; it’s next week that sticks and counts. So we will go to the drawing board and get her there.”

Senior Rebecca Herren won one of three matches at 135 pounds, pinning Karina Santiago of Lyman for her lone win. 

Sophomore Grace McAlhany also won one of three matches at 140 pounds, pinning Alyssa Good of Casper Natrona for her win and putting up a good fight in all of her matches.

Sophomore Andria Doren went 0-2 at 155 pounds.

Anderson lost her first match at 190, received a medical forfeit in her second match and lost her third match.

“Our three that didn’t make it was heartbreak city, just one right after the other,” Whiting said. “Rebecca, our lone girl senior, came one match away from making her first trip to State, but the improvement she made for being a second-year wrestler was awesome, and the impression she left on this team will not be forgotten. She will be missed.

“Grace fought hard for her first year, and it was awesome to see her come this far and do well. Same with Andria, getting a late start to the season and killing the way she did. I am proud of our girls and their performance.”

Boys 2A West

“Great work from the boys,” Whiting noted.

Rocky finished the 2A West tournament in Big Piney Friday with three placers: sophomore Masen Twomey second at 215 pounds, junior Triffen Jolley third at 165 and sophomore Sam Loyning fourth at 126.

The other qualifying boys are junior Colten Bitton at 138 pounds (2-2), freshman Zach Unruh at 144 pounds (2-2), senior Hayden Wambeke at 190, sophomore William Torres at 215 and freshman Alex Walker at 285.

“Regionals for the boys was a different turn of events for me, having to watch at a distance and calling Coach when he got a break,” Whiting said. “But to me it seems like our boys are so close to peaking, and I know that we will just do that right at State. They performed awesome at Regionals.”

The wrestlers who didn’t qualify put up a fight, Whiting said. Freshman Ethan Haslem wrestled at 138 pounds, freshman Austin Weller at 144.

“We will be getting our minds ready as well as our bodies,” Whiting said. “It is time for us coaches to get our athletes to peak out.”