There's an interesting discussion on the comments from my story on the Gillette-NC wrestling match on Friday, Jan. 4, in Casper. The comments are mostly about Jessica Brenton, Trey Gladson, their match and female wrestlers. People who commented include Brenton, Brenton's mom, Gladson's mom and Philip Young, an NC wrestler, among others.

Here is how I saw the situation:
(Note: this is my first year covering wrestling, so I am new to the rules and some of the jargon.)

After the 103 match, NC's Neil Williams reported to the scorers' table for the 112 match. Williams was listed on my roster/program at 119 along with Gillette's Tyler Cox.

There had been multiple changes to the roster I had. Most of the changes were by Gillette. I was in NCHS's gym for the lineup announcement, but didn't have a roster yet because they needed to print more. Comments below my article said Williams was announced at the start of the meet at 119.

Gillette coach Tom Seamans came to the scorers' table after Williams reported because the NC wrestler was listed at 119. Brenton was listed at 112. NC coach Scott Russell and the referee soon joined the discussion at the scorers' table. Russell said that both Williams and Brenton weighed in at an acceptable weight to wrestle at 112. The ref said he was not there for the weigh-in and, if I recall correctly, asked Seamans if he wanted to protest the match. 

Eventually things got sorted out and Cox, a two-time state champion, pinned Williams in the first period of the 112 match.

Brenton then wrestled Gladson in the 119 match and she pinned him in the first period.

From my perspective the people listed at 112 and 119 switched for each team, just as other people from Gillette had switched spots. I do not know this for sure, but I would bet the programs are printed hours before the weigh-in and meet, thus accounting for the number of changes for Gillette other than 112 and 119 from my program.

Going into the 112 match, when all the confusion started, the meet score was 26-5. The final score was 38-14.

Brenton said this in her comment below my article, "We didn't cheat and we weren't unfair in any way! Who cares? It's not like that match changed anything, except added six points to our side. GILLETTE WON! So just drop it."

She is correct in that the match didn't change the outcome of the match. After Cox earned his pin the score was 32-5. There were three matches left -- Brenton in 119, 125 and 135. If NC earned six points in each match with a pin, the final would be 32-23. So even if NC earned the max points, it would still lose by nine points.

Here are a few quotes about the confusion:

Gillette coach Tom Seamans:
"I think we gave up one pin tonight (in 119 to Brenton). That was a situation where we got caught about three seconds into the period and had to try to fight off our back for a minute 50 (seconds)."

"We got pinned at 119... That's an expectation. (NC) brought a kid down to wrestle (Tyler Cox). Many of his matches are mismatches. He's probably at about an 80-match winning streak, he's very solid."

Jessica Brenton:

Me: Were you expected to go against the person you did? I know the weight classes kind of switched.
Jessica Brenton: No, I was supposed to wrestle 112, but they bumped me up to '19s.
Me: Is that so you wouldn't have to wrestle against Cox?
JB: Yeah.
Me: Did you want to go against him?
JB: Not 'til state, anyway.

That's my take on the situation.

Many of the comments on the story had to do with the morals / merits of girls wrestling boys. I've seen NC wrestle twice, and both times Brenton pinned her opponent and looked impressive. She also won the Lusk Invitational.

As for my take on female wrestlers, I think they can create great storylines, just as male athletes can. The idea of girls wrestling isn't new, but it can be unique depending on how often it happens in an area. I learned at an early age from "Saved By The Bell" that girls do wrestle and can be good at it.

Feel free to comment below or contact me at david.buck@trib.com or (307) 266-0595
 
Dave