Warriors advance 4 to Best of the Best at Thoman Memorial

WORLAND — As a team, the Worland grapplers had a tough time at the Bill Thoman Memorial in Green River over the weekend. But, four individuals had a strong weekend by advancing to the Best of the Best matches at the conclusion of the tournament.

The Warriors split duals in their pool on Friday, picking up wins against Rock Springs (43-36), Jackson (63-15) and Cheyenne South (45-34) while falling to Evanston (42-37), Uintah, Utah (52-24) and Scottsbluff, Nebraska 42-25.

Their 3-3 record placed them in the silver bracket where they beat Riverton, but fell to both Evanston and Douglas – taking third in the bracket.

JD Nelson (152), Wade Goncalves (182), Austin Beck (220) and Sampson Rich (285) all had strong performances over the weekend, though, and had a chance to be named Best of the Best in their respective weight class.

Nelson was the first to wrestle and lost a hard-fought match to Shandon Welsh (Green River) by a 9-2 decision. Goncalves followed, facing Jacob Henderson (Rifle, Colorado) for the 182-pound title. The match wouldn’t go past the first period as Goncalves scored a pin in 1:55.

Beck followed with a pin as well at 220, his coming in the third period as he defeated Brendan Hopkins (Green River) by fall in 5:01.

Rich was the last to wrestle and lost a 9-2 decision to Jordan Tucker (Green River).

Up next, the Warriors will travel to Cody for a dual on Thursday, Jan. 21 before heading to a tournament in Lander Friday and Saturday, Jan. 22-23.

Swimmers split duals

The Warriors competed in their home pool for the first time on Friday before hitting the road to Cody on Saturday as they competed in a pair of duals over the weekend.

It began with Powell on Friday and Worland was outmatched as the Panthers outnumbered the Warriors two-to-one.

They bounced back Saturday, though, with a strong win over Cody 100-59.

Worland will have another pair of home meets this weekend as it hosts the Warrior Pre-Invite on Friday, Jan. 22 and the Warrior Invite on Saturday, Jan. 23.

Indoor track has first meet of the season

The Worland indoor track team kicked off the 2016 season by competing in the Stadium Sports Grill High School Classic in Spearfish, South Dakota on Saturday and turned in some impressive performances.

Senior Emerald Dykman finished fifth in the 60-meter dash with a time of 8.40 seconds and third in the 200-meter dash with a time of 28.24 seconds.

Fellow senior Emily Keller also placed 7th in the 60.

Mariah Alcaraz added a third place finish in the shot put with a throw of 31-03.

For the boys, Jacob Hart –competing from Thermopolis – placed sixth in the 400-meter dash with a time of 56.52 seconds and 13th in the 200 with a time of 24.72 seconds.

Brad Lyman finished fifth in the high jump, clearing a height of 5-08 and Andrew Cady finished sixth in the shot put with a throw of 42-11.

Worland will be in Gillette next for the Gillette Invite on Saturday, Jan. 23.