Lady grapplers host first girls-only tourney

The Lady Dogie Wrestling team hosted its inaugural girls-only home dual on Thursday, Dec. 19, where they went up against Moorcroft and Wright. It was a great start for head coach Shaide Bowthorpe’s squad, given Newcastle High School defeated the Lady Wolves and tied with the Lady Panthers.

“I think our first duals went really, really well,” Bowthorpe said. “The crowd and the energy were there and we couldn’t have asked for a better home event.”

Then on Saturday, the 21st, the Lady Dogies traveled to Sheridan for a 4A Duals Team Tournament.

“We are a really good 3A team, but the girls wrestling is still All-Class so we decided we would go test ourselves a little bit against those 4A teams,” Bowthorpe explained.

Newcastle’s team was missing three girls on Saturday, which hurt a little in those duals because they had to forfeit those weight classes. However, Bowthorpe stressed that even without three, her crew nearly beat Natrona and Camp Hill, PA. The final team scores had the Lady Dogies being defeated in Sheridan, but only Sheridan soundly defeated Bowthorpe’s squad.

Sage Lichtenberger, in the 105-pound weight class, went 2-1 on the weekend winning her sole match against Moorcroft in the Dogie Dome on Thursday. She also got the better of her Sheridan opponent on Saturday.

Ayonna Hunter (110) went 3-3 on the weekend winning both matches against Moorcroft and Wright at home on Thursday.

“Ayonna wrestles tough and hasn’t lost to anyone in her peer group,” Bowthorpe said. “Her only losses have been to juniors and seniors who are more mature and experienced.”

Courtney Matthews had a great weekend going 3-2 in the 115-pound weight class, and all three of her wins came at the Sheridan Duals.

“Courtney wrestles better when she goes on the offensive and it has taken her a little bit to get warmed up to that kind of wrestling this season,” Bowthorpe said. “But when she is offensive and aggressive she does really well.”

Ashlyn Shroyer (125) went 4-2, also winning both matches at home on Thursday.

Ruth Rose (130) and Netanya Prell (135) went 2-2 over the two days, defeating their Moorcroft and Wright opponents in front of Dogie fans in the Dome on Thursday.

“Both of their wins were against teams who are similar to ours, so that is great,” Bowthorpe said.

Madalyn Francis (130) and Heather Conley (140) each picked up a win and both happened at home on Thursday.

“Madalyn wasn’t able to finish the Sheridan tournament due to an injury, but we hope to have her back when we come back from Christmas break,” Bowthorpe said. “And for Heather, she got her first ever win at home, which is the best place to get it, with your family and friends watching.”

Freshman Meadow Thomas (145) finished the weekend 3-2, winning one match in front of the hometown fans.

“Meadow is brand new to wrestling so that is a really great record for someone who is new to the sport,” Bowthorpe said.

Brylee Castor (155) got a win against Moorcroft at home against Moorcroft and Abby Tacy (105) picked up her first high school win against Sheridan on Saturday.

“We’re right there competition wise,” Bowthorpe said. “I think we need to get a little more consistent but everyone is working hard and we’re coming out with wins against teams who are very similar to us.”

The Lady Dogies will get back into action on Jan. 4 when they head to a tournament in Spearfish, South Dakota.