Lady Dogies face new foes — Tough draws test Newcastle on opening day
Courtney Matthews at regionals — photo courtesy the Douglas Budget
CASPER — The Newcastle Lady Dogies opened the Wyoming State Wrestling Tournament on Friday in Casper with a slate of unfamiliar opponents and hard-fought matches.
“All the girls we wrestled have been completely new opponents, and I think it rocked the boat a little,” head coach Halle Pillen said. “They were going into unknown territory which got the best of us, but I have high confidence on Saturday that things will look better.”
At 140 pounds, sophomore Brylee Caster picked up a first-round win by pin to advance to the quarterfinals. Caster later dropped her second match by pin, moving her into the consolation bracket heading into Saturday’s action.
Courtney Matthews, competing at 125 pounds, lost her opening match by pin and will continue wrestling on the consolation side of the bracket.
At 135 pounds, Netanya Prell also lost her first match by pin and will look to battle back Saturday.
Pillen said the experience of facing unfamiliar competition can be an adjustment at the state tournament, but she expects a stronger showing on the final day.
“I have high confidence on Saturday that things will look better,” she said.
Wrestling resumes Saturday in Casper.
State tournament results
125: Courtney Matthews, lost by pin.
135: Netanya Prell, lost by pin.
140: Brylee Caster, won by pin; lost by pin (quarterfinal)