Shorthanded Lovell grapplers prep for Regionals

The LHS wrestling team opened competition this week with a home dual against Tongue River Friday before heading to Greybull for the Memorial Tournament Saturday.

Friday, the Bulldogs battled through injuries and illness in a close home dual against Tongue River, falling 42–41. Individual match results were not recorded.

“We wrestled tough and aggressive this weekend despite our health,” head coach Ty Hecker said. “A match slipped through our fingers, causing us to come up one point short of a win.”

Saturday in Greybull, despite not having a full lineup, the Bulldogs still earned several big wins, with four wrestlers advancing to the finals.

Senior Zayden Stahl led the Bulldogs with a first-place finish, going 4–0 at 150 pounds.

“Zayden has great wrestling instincts and can do things most humans can’t,” Hecker said. Stahl ended his day with a pin in the championship match.

Junior Porter Blau (157) followed with a second-place finish, ending the tournament 2–1. Hecker praised Blau’s recent performances, saying, “Porter has been on a streak of winning matches; his confidence is at an all-time high. He looks very impressive and pushes the pace in his matches.”

Blau came up short in his final match due to circumstances outside of his control, and Hecker said, “I believe we won that match.”

The other two finalists were Hudsen Mickelson (126) and Mason Christenson (138), both earning second-place finishes with 3–1 records.

Other Bulldogs that placed were Owen Hill (165), who took fourth with a 3–2 record, and Evan Rusch (113), who placed fourth (1–3). Travis Asay (144) did not place but went 3–2 after moving down a weight class.

“Travis moved to 144 and looked a lot better,” Hecker said. “He picked up some good wins and is getting his mind back to make it to State.”

Hecker commented on the team’s toughness throughout the tournament.

“We were down with sickness and didn’t have everyone, but everyone wrestled aggressively and picked up some wins when it got tough,” he said.

The girls team also had a challenging weekend, but two wrestlers were able to place: Harley Tillett (105), who finished fourth (1–2), and Vada Schmidt (120), who earned third place (2–2).

Hecker said the team’s focus leading up to Regionals is getting healthy.

“Once we have everyone back and healthy, I believe we will peak at Regionals and State with our sharp and aggressive wrestling,” he said.

With just one tournament left before Regionals, the Bulldogs will head to Buffalo for the Buffalo Duals Tournament with the first match at noon on Friday before beginning postseason competition in Cody and Powell the following weekend.