Weston County Wrestlers Battle Through First Day of WHSAA State Championships

Staff

(This story was prepared by NLJ Publisher Bob Bonnar with the assistance of artificial intelligence.)

Wrestlers from Newcastle High School and Upton High School took the mat at the WHSAA State Wrestling Championships at the Ford Wyoming Center. After the first day of action, Upton’s boys’ team is in 8th place in Class 2A, while Newcastle’s boys sit in 16th in Class 3A. In the girls’ tournament, which includes all classifications in one competition, Newcastle is in a five-way tie for 33rd place out of 39 teams, while Upton’s lone female wrestler remains in the fight through the consolation bracket after losing her only bout yesterday.

Upton Boys Make Strong Push in 2A

Upton’s wrestlers scored 39 points on day one, setting them up well heading into the semifinals and wrestle-backs.

Three Bobcats—Haven Vrana (2A-120), Jackson East (2A-126), and Trey Schneider (2A-132)—have advanced to the semifinals and will wrestle for a shot at the championship.

Other Upton wrestlers continue battling through the wrestle-backs:

Cayden Vrana (2A-106) started strong, pinning Treysen Thompson (Shoshoni) in just 47 seconds before falling in the quarterfinals.
Gavin Dollick (2A-113) received a bye in the first round but was pinned by Dyllan Myers (Thermopolis) in the quarterfinals.
Landon Norman (2A-132) secured a dominant 35-second pin over Jacob Nelson (H.E.M.) before falling in the quarterfinals to Daxton Pope (Cokeville).
Sam Bowen (2A-144) and Braylon Phillips (2A-144) will look to bounce back after falling in their first matches.
Cullen Davis (2A-150) recorded a lightning-fast 7-second pin over Destry Olsen (H.E.M.) before losing in the quarterfinals.

With three wrestlers still alive in the championship bracket and multiple Bobcats working through wrestle-backs, Upton remains in contention for a top finish.

Newcastle Boys Fight to Stay Alive in 3A

Newcastle’s boys' squad had a tough first day, scoring just four team points, but all wrestlers remain in the tournament and will fight through the consolation rounds.

Dane Crabtree (3A-157) was the lone Dogie wrestler to pick up a win on day one, pinning Jesse Burch-Jones (Buffalo) in just 40 seconds before falling in the quarterfinals.
Troy Christensen (3A-120), Cayson Phillips (3A-126), TJ Harrington (3A-132), Scott Larson (3A-138), and Noah Williams Gardner (3A-175) all dropped their opening matches and will compete in wrestle-backs today.

Newcastle Girls Looking for a Comeback in Wrestle-Backs

Newcastle’s girls’ team is locked in a tie for 33rd place, with Netanya Prell (130 lbs) scoring the team’s only four points on day one. Prell pinned Keeley Walker (Wind River) in 3:15 before falling to Lily Harris (Green River) in the quarterfinals.

Other Newcastle girls still fighting for a medal include:

Sage Lichtenberger (100 lbs), Harmony Sullivan (100 lbs), Courtney Matthews (120 lbs), Brylee Caster (140 lbs), and Adelyn Bergstrom (145 lbs), all of whom lost their first-round matchups and will compete in wrestle-backs today.

Upton’s Lone Female Wrestler Keeps Fighting

Upton’s Alexis Savage (235 lbs) received a bye in the first consolation round after falling to Abigail Clay (Cheyenne East) in the opening round. She will continue competing today, looking to climb the bracket.

What’s Next?

All wrestlers from Upton and Newcastle remain in the competition. Upton’s three semifinalists will take the mat tonight, while the rest of Weston County’s competitors look to stay alive in wrestle-backs. The tournament wraps up Saturday, when the final placings and team standings will be determined.

Weston County wrestlers have another day to prove their toughness and fight for a place on the podium in Casper.