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Sports Goulash

Odds and ends of Wyoming high school sports.

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Five on the wrestling rise

Posted by: Patrick Schmiedt on February 5, 2008 at 11:43PM EST

I don't know about you, but after last week's Ron Thon Memorial Invitational, I'm even more confused. So many good wrestlers are getting hot at the right time. This week is fairly quiet -- lots of duals -- and then next week is regionals, then next week state. It's coming fast, and here are five that are looking sharp:

1. Lander's Bret Klopp: It seems like Bret has come out of nowhere... but that's not the truth. Bret's a Wisconsin transplant, and in his first year with the Tigers he's doing some great work. Not only did he win the 160-pound bracket at the Ron Thon, he also won the meet's outstanding upper-weights wrestler award.

2. Gillette's Tyler Cox: What more can be said? This guy is good. The junior continues to rack up the individual accolades, and there's no reason to think he can't win his third straight state title in a couple weeks in Casper.

3. Kelly Walsh's lightweights: Perry McAfee and Jesse Hillhouse keep on getting better and better, but it may be even more important that they're proving they know how to win the close ones. Hillhouse won the 119-pound bracket, racking up a tech fall and decisions of 8-2, 3-2 and 4-3. At 125, McAfee won with a pin and two major decisions before going into overtime to win his championship match 8-6. Dominating, no, but you don't have to dominate as long as you win.

4. Devan Pope, Cokeville: Yes, Pope lost the championship at 189 pounds. But never mind that. With Pope leading the way, Cokeville again looks like the top contender for the Class 2A crown. The Panthers are going for their third straight state championship, and the take-all-comers attitude has paid off well (Pope beat three straight 4A foes to make the championship match). Just like last year, it'll likely be Cokeville fighting it out with Lusk for the top spot, but last week's finish has to have the Panthers feeling pretty good.

5. Mak Jones, Powell: Speaking of 189 pounds, it was Jones that beat Pope in the championship match of that bracket. Powell finished in fifth place with 126 points and had the best finish of any 3A team -- not a bad sign heading down the stretch. Douglas and Wheatland both had more than 100 points, though, so it won't be easy for Jones and the Panthers at state, but last week certainly can't hurt the confidence of either Jones or his teammates.

Add your own wrestling thoughts below... Who are your favorites in the team races? What individuals might pull some surprises off at state?

Posted by patrick.schmiedt@trib.com

Send This | Categories: Wrestling

(24) Comments

Posted by: Hitman on February 6, 2008 3:54PM EST

URL: http://yahoo.com

First, the wrestling community need to keep the Dane family from StarValley in their prayers.

I would say that the camels are the team to be beat in 4A but still believe that the Braves will give them a run.
Did the Garnhart kid wrestle in Riverton? If so wher did he place?

Posted by: Camel wrestling Fan on February 6, 2008 5:04PM EST

Garnhart was at Riverton, Finished third.

Posted by: Wrestling Fan on February 6, 2008 7:39PM EST

Best Ron Thon in recent years! The addition of Star Valley, Wheatland, and Cokeville took one step closer in making this an All Classes State Tournament. There where great quarter final matches let alone great semi and final matches. Hats off to Riverton's AD for putting on Wyoming's best touranment. They want this to be the Best of the Best and are headed in the right direction. Now if all the states coaches would help out and send their best wrestlers, what an event it would be! Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Dana Family and to the entire Star Valley community.

Posted by: RangerFan on February 6, 2008 10:43PM EST

I think you're right on with your picks. I watched Klopp just thrash an impressive field at the Vernal Utah tournament, and the last second win against Burgess at Ron Thon was unbelievable. This kid turns it on at just the right moment. As you said, what more can you say about Tyler Cox. I have never seen a more technical wrestler in my life. This kid can walk onto any college program and not miss a beat. The other sports could take a page from the Ron Thon tournament. If you are true sports fan, you always wonder what would happen if the best competed against the best. With the Ron Thon you get to see that happen. My thanks to Riverton for letting us have so much fun watching. My prayers go out to the Dana family.

Posted by: HS Sports Fan on February 6, 2008 10:54PM EST

What is the Garnhart kids record? How about Hatley?

Posted by: Hitman on February 7, 2008 2:22PM EST

URL: http://yahoo.com

several weeks ago I asked the question about whether or not Garnhart would be a 4Xer if he wrestled at the 3A or 4A level...for those who have watched him what do you think?

Posted by: Toby Wood on February 7, 2008 3:03PM EST

I definantly think Garnhart would be a 4 timer in the 3A or 4A level. I have gone to school with him since the 8th grade and play sports with him and he is a great athlete. The kid never gives up and definantly has the talent to compete with any level.

Posted by: football fan on February 7, 2008 6:19PM EST

while I agree with Toby on one hand - Casey is a talent athlete, I disagree that he would definately be a 4xer in 3A or 4A. He could definately compete, but he'd have much stiffer competition in 3A and 4A. He's already been beat 3 or 4 times that I know of by WY kids from bigger schools. I realize that he could turn around and beat them at state, but there are others who haven't beaten him that are getting closer and could beat him. Nothing is wrestlin is DEFINITE! (Casey would most likely agree with me!)

Posted by: Shawna on February 7, 2008 6:44PM EST

I have been able to watch Bret Klopp wrestle a couple of times this year. He was great at the Ron Thon. It was a great match against the Gillette wrestler. Keep up the great work Bret. Also, I enjoyed watching and cheering for Devan Pope the past four years. Good Luck at state Devan. Star Valley fan.

Posted by: gtown on February 7, 2008 7:18PM EST

is Garnhart the 3xer that wrestles 145?

Posted by: RangerFan on February 7, 2008 7:25PM EST

I think Kasey Garnhart could be a 4x state champ at 3A or 4A. I watched him at Ron Thon last year wrestle in the championship against Jeff Wood and lost in OT by one point. To lose to Jeff Wood in OT by one point shows how good this kid is. The Natrona wrestler who beat him in the semis this year is very good also, but the calls were questionable (fleeing the mat and the takedown), and I feel Kasey could easily have been on the other end. We can only speculate, but please give this kid more respect than to diminish his accomplishments.

Posted by: football fan on February 7, 2008 11:29PM EST

RangerFan, I completely agree! My first statement said he was a great athlete. I don't think anyone diminished his accomplishments, but he is beatable, as that has been proven, and his toughest competition has come from the big schools. I was just saying there are no definites. You are correct, we CAN ONLY speculate. Good luck Kasey and all the wrestlers - can't believe we're only a couple weeks away from the big show!

Posted by: Wolverine73 on February 8, 2008 12:58PM EST

I agree with Wrestling Fan; the Ron Thon tournament became that much better this year with the addition of the other 6 teams. We have an experienced large group of volunteers that work this tournament every year, to see the great match ups it creates. I have done the tournament for the past 15 years and would have to agree, the level of competition went to a new level this year!! This tournament proves every year that just because you may be the best wrestler in 4A, doesn't mean you're the best wrestler in the state. It's just a great tournament to see Wyoming's best wrestlers and programs go head to head. Hopefully, we can add more Wy teams and wrestlers again next year.

Posted by: Hitman on February 8, 2008 2:27PM EST

URL: http://yahoo.com

not trying to take any thing away from garnhart and what he has accoplishedon the mat some times the competition is just not as high at the 1/2A level, example sundance coach gonzalez was a 3Xer, and i remember him beating two kids from windriver one his freshmen and the other his senior and the matches weren't even close and i belive both of those became 4x.just my thoughts from an old wrestling fan.

Posted by: D.E. on February 9, 2008 1:26PM EST

Hey Patrick, I was wondering if you could post the 4X state champions and what school they were from. Thanks

Posted by: Natrona Fan on February 9, 2008 11:30PM EST

Garnhart was beat at Ron Thon by Phillip Young at 135 lbs. He has also been beaten by Briston Brenton (from Natrona) two different times at 140lbs. Once by a score of 4-2 and the other time by pin. Not to take anything away from Garnhart...he is a great wrestler and a great kid! I expect him to be a 4xer and would be very surprised if he is not.

Posted by: 1afan on February 10, 2008 12:37AM EST

Here's a question to ponder.Is it easier for a small wrestler to be a 4xer than a big fella to do the same thing? I feel the smaller wrestler has an advantage.Anyone have some thoughts on this?

Posted by: 2a fan on February 10, 2008 9:35AM EST

1afan i disagree with you because there are so many things that go into being a 4xer you have to stay healthy and along with it last year at the west 2a regionals there were only 4 kids in the 215 weight bracket and full brackets in all of the lighter weights, a good wrestler will win no matter what weight he is at or what classification they are in and on Kasey being a 4xer, if in 4a he would have wrestled different weights, his freshman and sophomore year he went up weight classes to make room for a teammate

Posted by: sss5910 on February 12, 2008 12:36PM EST

It is easier for the lighter and heavier weights to repeat. The weights from 140-171 are always loaded with Jrs and Srs, which makes it alot tougher for a frosh or soph to win. Take a look at the 4A last year, only 1 freshman placed from 112 up, (140lbs even). The light weights are younger and the heavier weights have less numbers.

Posted by: Patrick Schmiedt on February 12, 2008 5:07PM EST

DE, sorry it's taken me so long to get to your request. Here they are:
Jeff Wood, Gillette (2004-07) (112, 125, 130, 135)
Cody Grant, Torrington (2001-04: 103, 103, 119, 119)
Bobby Thoman, Wind River (1995-98: 135, 140, 145, 145)
Troy McIlravy, Gillette (1995-98: 112, 119, 125, 130)
Russell Davis, Upton (1988-91: 112, 112, 119, 119)
Lanny Schneider, Worland (1984-87: 98, 105, 119, 126)
Johnny Lucchi, Rock Springs (1970-73: 98, 103, 112, 119)
Ray Sanchez, Chey. Central (1962-65: 103, 103, 112, 120)
Dave Edington, Saratoga (1957-60)
--patrick

Posted by: D.E. on February 13, 2008 1:49AM EST

Thanks Patrck, You can definently see a trend, where the 4X state champs are in the lower weight classes. But its pretty amazing to me how the majoraty of them are from larger schools.

Posted by: 1afan on February 13, 2008 1:54AM EST

Thanks Patrick, your numbers seem to suport my arguement.I agree a good wrestler will win but given equal skill levels the experiance and strenth of
upperclassmen give them an advantage over the younger wrestlers even if their skill might be less than the younger ones.My point being finishing in the top four for all your high school years is a accomplishment that should not be taken lightly

Posted by: 1afan on February 13, 2008 2:06AM EST

I think there are two reasons we see that the large schools have the majority of 4xers. the number of students give them the luxiery of having the lighter weights to fill the rosters and the fact that they are able to devote more time to just one sport.smaller schools need all the athletes they have to fill all the teams and being just a one or two sport athlete is not done in the small schools

Posted by: Anonymous on February 17, 2008 10:19PM EST

are you arguing it's tougher to do in 4A ? math says only 4 of 9 are from larger schools. the next two possible are jared hatley from torrington, 3A & casey garnhart from riverside, 2A . classifacation should not matter. you still have to bring it every weekend. the one thing that binds all these athletes is heart!. i suspect we will be adding 2 more name to the list after this weekend.