Grapplers poised to begin

Sonja Karp
NLJ Sports Reporter
 
The Dogie/Bobcat wrestling crew are excited to open up their season in just a few short days, and co-head coach Lee McCoy is just as excited as his squad. Having only lost two seniors from last year’s team, and returning a two-time state champion, as well as several others who qualified for the state tournament has McCoy and co-head coach Jason Wheeler ready to see what their guys can do.
“We are very excited about getting to have a wrestling season, because I was a little worried a couple of weeks ago,” McCoy admitted. “It’s great to have a nice, solid group of kids to bring back who have had some pretty good experience, and we’ve also got a pretty balanced group this year with some new kids and some returning who are catching on, so that’s great.”
Senior Kale Corley is returning as the squad’s two-time state champion winning the title his freshman and junior years. Blake Durfee of Upton placed at the state meet last year as well and is back on the mat. 
Newcastle/Upton is also returning quite a few kids who lost in the blood round, just a match away from placing at the state tournament, and those include Newcastle juniors Josh Womack and Cael Holmes, and Upton seniors Skylar Jenkins and Weston Simmianer.
“I feel good about our possibilities this year and I’m excited for Kale to be going for his third state title,” McCoy grinned. “A kid like that is a once-in-a-career type of a kid to coach and I’ve been fortunate enough to have coached about four multiple-time state champions.” 
“I’m excited for Skylar because he’s come close over the years, so he’s hungry,” he continued. “And I’m excited about our group of juniors who should place high, and for our sophomores to get up to speed because I’m always looking toward the future.” 
There are 17 Dogie/Bobcat athletes suiting up this season, and though numbers are down a bit from previous years, McCoy is pleased that those who have committed to the season should fill out the weight classes better than the previous years.
“We are spread out pretty well so we won’t leave a lot of points on the board this year,” he nodded. “It looks like we won’t have a 106-pounder or a heavy weight, but the other weights that were open last season will be filled.”
McCoy did admit that he might struggle a little in getting some of the junior varsity kids mat time due to the fact that some weight classes may go three deep. With the COVID-19 changes and restrictions this year, there simply may not be as many opportunities to get every kid on the mat in every contest.
Looking around the conference, McCoy identified Douglas and Worland as being top contenders, and with Green River dropping from 4A to 3A, they will be a tough crew from the west side.
“Green River was the No. 2 team in 4A last year, and we still have Star Valley and Lander to contend with as well,” McCoy chuckled. “It’ll be a challenge, but it’ll be fun.”
The pandemic has made the season look a little different with the following restrictions in place: Masks must be worn at all times excluding while competing, there will be no multi-day tournaments, and only two teams are allowed in the gym at one time. Big tournaments, such as Ron Thon, will not be taking place. Instead, those traditionally large events are expected to be divided between schools in order to limit contact.
In addition, teams are limited to 16 events, or competition days over the course of the season, and most of Newcastle/Upton’s events are in the form of quadrangulars.
“It’s going to look a little different, but it’s all good,” McCoy determined. “We are making sure that we follow the guidelines because ultimately, we want the kids to be able to have their season.”
The Dogies/Bobcats will start things off this Saturday afternoon in Lusk where they will dual Wright, Glenrock and Lusk.