Wilkerson steps down as Rams president

Thirteen years ago, Russell Wilkerson got involved with the North Big Horn Rams USA Wrestling program.
Under then president Kelly Spann, Wilkerson was able to help coach the young grapplers alongside Mark Crumrine and other volunteers.
Back then, the club averaged only 12-15 wrestlers a season.
When Spann decided it was time to move on two years later, Wilkerson took the reigns as the club’s leader.
In that first year, Wilkerson, Trista Marchant and Crumrine struggled.
They then recruited Eddie Whiting to come be the head coach, and they all sat down and talked about the future plans
of the organization and how they wanted to make it something more.
They began recruiting athletes.
The next season, they had a whopping 65 kids sign up to wrestle with the Rams, the most they’ve ever had in a single season to this day.
With having more kids, they needed more adults.
Craig and Brittany Krantz played an instrumental part in the process along with Pete Baxendale, and the group continued to brainstorm to create more beneficial practices and more lucrative fundraising efforts.
After 11 years at the helm, Wilkerson feels bittersweet about stepping down but confident in the continued success he has helped build.
“I really enjoyed doing it and watching the kids grow,” Wilkerson said. “I’m sure I will probably continue to help coach, but I am a believer that anything you do, you should leave it better off than you found it, and I think I did just that.”
In the last two season, the club has won two state titles at the WAWA State Championships in Casper. In 2023, they won first in the small team freestyle division and in 2024 earned another small team folkstyle plaque.
The Rams have continued to have more and more parents step up to help coach and run tournaments over the years.
Those coaches currently include Shae and Amber Abraham, Ty and Heidi Hecker, Austin and Alicia Layne, Shane and Terra Dickerson, Billy Harshman, Jake Bassett and many more throughout the years.
“It has always been a group effort and not a one man show,” Wilkerson said. “There have been so many highs and lows, but standing next to James Love as he received his Triple Crown Award in Casper was a definite highlight in my career.
“James was just a little guy when he started, and to have watched him grow and progress to where he is now has brought me so much joy. I know I got more out of being around those kids than they have ever gotten out of me.”
“Over the last 11 years I have worked alongside Russell,” Trista Marchant said. “He has made it easy to continue on with the club, even when he liked to come into practice with his big smile and tried to see what he could do to stress me out.”
Marchant also commented on his passion for helping each and every one of the kids that have been a part of the USA wrestling family.
“He has mentioned how much he loves it when he’s in public and sees a kid from our team, and they come and say, ‘Hi Coach!’ It has meant a lot to him over the years,” she added.
Wilkerson has helped to keep the club what it is today-- strong, functioning and prepared for another wrestling season.
“He has been a huge asset to our club and building it up over his tenure,” Marchant said. “All of the hours he has spent at practices and tournaments over the years is greatly appreciated.”