Lovell boys take the title in Thermopolis

The Lovell Bulldog wrestlers competed at the Bobcat Invitational in Thermopolis on Friday, finishing the day as team champions with 189.5 points, beating Rocky Mountain and host Thermop.

Lovell had six undefeated individual wrestlers: Mason Christenson, Zayden Stahl, Owen Hill, Hudsen Mickelson, Vada Schmidt and Harley Tillett, whose performances helped secure the team title.

“Owen wrestled fantastic. He stayed aggressive and avenged a loss from earlier in the year on his way to winning his bracket,” head coach Ty Hecker said. A senior, Hill competed at 165 pounds and finished undefeated with a 4–0 record to claim first place.

Zayden Stahl celebrated his birthday by winning his bracket.

“He defeated a ranked opponent in the finals and finished 2–0 at 150,” Hecker said, adding that Stahl’s wrestling instincts are really showing this season.

“Hudsen pinned his way through his bracket and has looked good all year,” Hecker said, adding that Mickelson has developed a far-side cradle that has been difficult for opponents to stop. Mickelson competed at 132 pounds and finished 3–0 to earn first place.

“Mason stayed consistent throughout the tournament,” Hecker said. Christenson competed at 138 pounds and finished 3–0, contributing key points to Lovell’s team total. 

On the girls side, Hecker said Schmidt and Tillett “pinned their way through the tournament,” describing both as tough, aggressive and fast pinners. Schmidt competed at 125–130 pounds and finished 2–0, while Tillett went 3–0 at 100–105 pounds.

“Both have strong chances of placing at the state level at a young age as they continue to put in the work,” Hecker said.

Lovell placed third in the girls division.

Other Lovell placers included second-place finishers Zavier Heater at 113 pounds (1–1) and Kaylynn Mickelson at 110–115 pounds on the girls side (0–2). Third-place finishers were Evan Rusch at 113 pounds (0–2), Travis Asay at 150 pounds (3–1), Hunter Krei at 157 pounds (4–1) and Zander Stahl at 138 pounds (4–1). Fourth-place finishers were Christian Garcia at 215 pounds (1–3) and Porter Blau at 157 pounds (3–2).

“Blau looked really good,” Hecker said. “He has been effective in the neutral position with a slick slide-by.”

Fifth-place finisher Brayden Harris competed at 132 pounds (2–3).

The Bulldogs will compete Thursday in Cowley at the Rocky Mountain/Greybull triangular, which begins at 5 p.m. They will then travel to the Shoshoni Clash at the Crossroads Invite on Friday and Saturday.