2 champions crowned at State

While Green River High School's wrestlers wouldn't get the third straight state title they sought, the Wolves still made an impression in Casper with two state champions crowned and four wrestlers being named to the All-State list.

Dominic Martinez and Payton Tucker fought their way to the top of the 106 and 182 weight classes respectively, while Jon Ty Leininger in the 160 division and Tanner Adam at 145 lbs., came up short in their championship bids and earned a spot on the 4A All-State list. Other wrestlers performing well include Clayson Mele, Kade Flores, Nathan McCann, Garrett Harris, Chance Anderson and Jacob Weipert.

The regional champs took fifth at state, but head coach Josh Wisniewski said the team remained competitive at state. However, the team stands to lose eight seniors.

Along with McCann, the team will lose Anderson, Nick Froats, James McCarter, Devon VanValkenburg, Justin Rubalcaba, John Makie and Ira Dickinson.

"We are going to miss this group of young men and all the hard work they have put in to make themselves and their teammates better," Wisniewski said. "We have a lot of youth on the team. As a staff, we are excited and believe they will be ready to lead this team into next year and help us find success on and off the mat."

For Wisniewski, his first year being the Wolves' head coach was a learning experience as well. One of those lessons he said was to keep grinding on regardless of how bad a situation looks.

"When things look bad, keep coaching and striving for excellence," he said.

Wisniewski said they came into the season wanting to earn a third state title and while they were unable to achieve that goal, they remained in the running for the title.

"As a team we just kept working and starting to believe 'why not us' towards the end of the season. This set us up nicely for a team regional title and a fifth place in a very competitive state tournament," he said.

State results

106

Martinez took first in this division, defeating Rock Springs' Cash Christensen 34-10. Mele took third, defeating Kelly Walsh's Lane Jackson by fall.

113

Flores took third, defeating Rock Springs' Zach Vasquez by fall. Cody Price, also competing in the division, did not place. He was defeated by Isaac Sell of Laramie by decision in the third round of the consolation bracket.

120

Kade Knezovich did not place in this division. He was defeated in the second round of consolation bracket wrestling by Thunder Basin's Dylan Catlin by decision. Nathan Campos also did not place, he was defeated by Catlin by fall in the first round of the consolation bracket.

126

Devon VanValkenburg did not place. He was defeated by Jackson's Rylee McCollum by decision in the third round of the consolation bracket.

132

Jacob Weipert took sixth in his division. He battled through the consolation bracket to the fifth-place match, being defeated by Sheridan's Hayden Crow by decision.

138

McCann took second in the division and made his way to the championship match against Analu Benabise of Kelly Walsh. Benabise won the match by decision.

145

Adam took second in the division. He battled to the championship match against Thunder Basin's Trevor Jeffries, but lost by fall. Garrett Harris also wrestled well in the weight class, taking third. He defeated Kelly Walsh's Kevin Anderson by decision in the third-place consolation match.

152

Chance Anderson took fourth in the division. He fought through the consolation bracket, making his way to the third-place match. He was defeated by Rock Springs' Tristan Profaizer by major decision. Max Orr, also competing in the weight class, was defeated in the first consolation round by Kaiden Jones of Natrona County.

160

Leininger took second in this weight class. He made his way to the championship match against Wyatt Yenney of Rock Springs, but was defeated by decision.

170

Kaden Lloyd did not place in this weight class. He wrestled to the third consolation round, where he was defeated by Cheyenne Central's Coby Goossen by fall. Nick Froats also did not place. He was defeated by decision in the third consolation round by Drake deCastro of Sheridan.

182

Tucker took first in the division, defeating Cheyenne East's Gunner Bartlett by decision in the championship match. Seddon Sanders, also competing in the weight class, did not place, being defeated by Laramie's Price Campbell by decision in the first consolation round.

195

James McCarter and Russell Ferrell did not place in this weight class. McCarter wrestled to the third consolation round before being defeated by Tanner Martin of Cheyenne Central in a tie breaker. Ferrell wrestled to the first consolation round where he was defeated by Kelly Walsh's Rock Speigleberg by fall.

220

Justin Rubalcaba did not place in this weight class. He wrestled to the first consolation round, being defeated by Thunder Basin's Brock Sather by fall. Sage Wilde also did not place, wrestling to the first consolation round before being defeated by fall by Kooper Claney of Natrona County.

285

John Makie did not place. He wrestled to the second consolation round, being defeated by fall from Casey Pushchak of Cheyenne Central.