OUTDUELED

WORLAND – Worland met its match on the mat on Thursday with Powell coming to town for a dual as both teams finish up the regular season schedule this week.

The four-time defending state champion Panthers showed why their reign atop the 3A wrestling world has lasted so long, beating the Warriors 40-21 on a night where the seniors were honored.

The dual started at 160 with senior JD Nelson moving up from his usual 152-pound slot to face Powell's Tucker Darrah. The two were battled well with the match tied 5-5 late in the third period, but Darrah scored a reversal late to pull off a 7-5 decision.

Worland dropped the next three matches with Cody Anderson losing by fall in 1 minute and 2 seconds at 170, Wade Goncalves dropping a 4-2 decision in overtime to Ty Dearcorn at 182 and Alex Beck losing by fall in 2:38 to Zach Easum at 195.

Senior Austin Beck finally got the Warriors on track at 220, pinning Eli Briggs in 2:52 for Worland's first team points of the dual. Fellow senior Sampson Rich followed in suit at 285, making light work of Terrance McLaughlin with a 26-second pin.

At 106, Tristen Lungren lost a 15-6 major decision to Cole Davis. But Buck Butterfield responded for Worland with a 3-2 decision over Brodie Wells to make the score 22-15 in Powell's favor.

Senior Glen Anderson brought Worland right back into the dual with a 27-second pin of Matt Jones as the Warriors were now behind 22-21.

But Powell grinded out the next four matches, winning two by decision and two by fall. Dalton McMillan narrowed out Christian Beccaria with a 10-8 decision at 138 while Marshall Wittick worked for an 8-3 win by decision over Isaac Goncalves.

Chance Karst then pinned Milo Vega in 1:54 at 145 and Kye Catlin pinned Brendin Schumacher in 1:27.

The Warriors finish the regular season today as they host Buffalo in a dual at 6 p.m.