Wolves take Thoman tourney

The Wolves dominated the Thoman Soda Ash Memorial Tournament hosted in Green River over the weekend.

The team was undefeated in their duals and had six wrestlers represent Green River in the Best of the Best competition. The tournament attracted teams from throughout Wyoming, as well as Colorado, Utah and Nebraska.

"I am pleased with the way our varsity wrestlers competed," head coach Marshall Rhodes said. "We wrestled much better than we did a week ago and with more intensity."

During the course of the tournament, Cyro Montoya, Gage Byers, Shandon Welsh and Jordan Tucker took part in all eight of the duals Green River participated in and were undefeated. Other wrestlers taking part in the tournament were Justin Flores, Caleb Nathan, Nathan McCann, Kaycee Cochrane, Ira Dickinson, Jacob Mortensen, Eric Clingenpeel, Zack Orr, Chance Anderson, Edgar Alatorre, Blake Waite, Dylan VanGieson, Keanu Hill and Brendan Hopkins.

Montoya, Byers, Welsh, VanGieson, Hopkins and Tucker competed in the Best of the Best. That group wrestled well, Rhodes said, and Montoya, Byers, Welsh and Tucker won their individual championships. VanGieson and Hopkins were defeated in their championship duals.

Rhodes is also happy in regards to Green River's finish in comparison to the Uintah, Utah, wrestlers. Uintah High School finished well ahead of Green River in the tournament they hosted a week ago. Green River got some revenge on the Uintah team, winning their dual 48-28.

"I am very happy that the Wolves stepped up and beat a team that was considered better than us," Rhodes said. "That's what we need to do, improve as we go."

Rhodes said he's also happy with how Montoya and Tucker have competed recently, saying the two wrestle very well and continue to improve.

The Wolves JV squad also had a successful weekend at the Thoman tournament. Dominik Kobe, Dan Mondragon, James McCarter, and Mikel Moser were undefeated and won their pools. Other JV wrestlers competing were Myckel Andrews, Talbert Bowen, Devon VanValkenburg, Presley Lucero, Ryan Deutsch, Tanner Adam, Brett McKeehan, Russell Ferrell, Derrik Erickson, Manny Lopez and Gabe Bunderman.

"It is nice to finally wrestle at home in front of our own fans," Rhodes said. "The kids were excited and stepped up a level which is nice."

Rhodes said while the team has improved over their performance in Vernal, Utah, he sad the team still has a lot of work ahead of them. However, he does believe the team is back on track.

The wrestlers will travel Rexburg, Idaho, for their next dual. They will also compete in the Tiger-Grizz tournament in Idaho Falls, Idaho.