Wolves wrestle to the top

The Wolves wrestlers proved they are the best in the region after winning the Tiger-Grizz tournament over the weekend.

The tournament consisted of 32 teams of wrestlers from four states, including Wyoming, Idaho, Utah and Nevada.

Green River took the top spot with the score of 204 points. Green River was the only non-Idaho team to place in the top five. Second place was Columbia, Idaho, with 188 points.

"We wrestled with more intensity and focus than we have all year," head coach Marshall Rhodes said. "We have put together a couple of good weekends in a row and that is a good thing."

Individually, many of the Green River varsity wrestlers placed well.

Caleb Nathan and Shandon Welsh both placed in first.

"Caleb Nathan was outstanding this weekend by getting his first big tournament win and handing the top-ranked Idaho wrestler just the second loss of his career," Rhodes said.

Gage Byers placed second. Cyro Montoya, and Brendan Hopkins placed third. Blake Waite placed fourth.

"Blake Waite wrestled very well this week and has improved greatly since Christmas," Rhodes said.

Jacob Mortensen, and Dylan VanGieson placed seventh. Ira Dickinson placed in eighth. Kaycee Cochrane, Eric Clingenpeel, Edgar Alatorre and Jordan Tucker also won matches over the weekend.

Green River's junior varsity squad fared well this weekend as well, finishing 10th out of 21 teams. Justin Flores placed first and Dominik Kobe placed second. The two wrestled against each other at the tournament.

"Justin Flores continues to wrestle well and Dominik Kobe had a great weekend with his only loss being to Flores," Rhodes said.

Talbert Bowen, Tanner Adam, and Chance Anderson all placed fourth at the tournament and Zack Orr placed sixth. Rhodes said there are a few of the junior varsity wrestlers that are ready to compete for a place in the top six at the upcoming state competition in Gillette.

"Every wrestler has the things they need to get better at so that is where our focus will be these next few weeks," Rhodes said. "We are hitting the last leg of the season and I feel that if we work a little harder on the technique we need, and get in a little better shape, then we will have a chance to finish well in a month."

The Wolves will compete against Star Valley this Thursday. The Star Valley wrestling team is ranked first in the state. Rhodes said dueling Star Valley will give them a good idea of where Green River ranks statewide. Following Star Valley, they have three conference duels this weekend, against Natrona, Kelly Walsh and Riverton.