Miners punch up

HEM grapplers compete outside of weight class

The Burns Dual did not go as well as either Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) High School wrestling coach would have liked for their grapplers. The Miners went to the Dual with Saratoga.

“It was a rough dual as we came away with no wins,” Head Wrestling Coach Robert Riddle said. “We faced Burns’ 3A varsity squad and Cheyenne East’s 4A JV squad. All HEM wrestlers fought hard but were out strengthened and out gunned in all matches. The team never quit and wrestled hard but experience and strength were the determining factor for the day.”  

McKean (Mac) Madsen, assistant wresting coach, agreed with Riddle that the team’s five wrestlers did their best, but several moving into different weight classes made it difficult.

“I feel like all of the teams were of a higher caliber this weekend, but all the kids were in their matches,” Madsen said. “We showed progress and were being competitive. I am liking what I am seeing.”

Riddle said, to fill the bracket, McKaylee Widdison was moved up from 106 to 113 and Thomas Wagner was moved from 138 to 145.  

“Both wrestled hard at those weights but giving up that much weight with experience was hard to overcome,” Riddle said.

Madsen said the weight both moved up to was not easy for the HEM wrestlers.

“Tom moving up from 138 to 145 made him a little undersized and this weight class has strong experienced wrestlers in it to begin with,” Madsen said. “There are a lot of juniors and seniors in that weight class; that is for sure.”

He said Anthony Solaas, who, weighs 91 pounds, had to wrestle a heavier kid too. 

“His scrambling skills are coming along, and he is getting his moves together which is great to see,” Madsen said. “I was proud of him.”

He said Widdison not only had to go up in weight, but the grappler she wrestled was tall.

“She got in some great take downs and she was scrambling around,” Madsen said. “She was competitive.”

Howard Bame might not have won, but Madsen said he is very coachable.

“He is always asking questions and he works hard,” Madsen said. “Everything we put forth he tries.”

Charlee Solaas did get to wrestler in a weight Madsen said was perfect for her.

“She was in her matches,” Madsen said. “Charlee was competitive and she is a great leader for the team. She is a huge asset.”

Wagner was still competitive even in the weight class he was in said Madsen.

“He hung in there and got some takedowns and some escapes,” Madsen said. “He made his opponents earn every point.”

Next up for the Miners is the Lingle Duals on January 23.  

“We will again be teamed with the Panthers (Saratoga) and complete against Glenrock, Lingle Fort Laramie/Southeast and Gering JV,” Riddle said. “Both Glenrock and LFSE teams are in the 2A division, which should give HEM a better idea where the team stands as we prepare for Regionals.”

 

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