The Battle in the Big Horns started off like most things during the pandemic. Chaotic. Schedule changes and teams dropping out made for drama beyond the mat. When the dust settled and the matches began the Warriors performed, and preformed well.
The opening match against Lovell would be a loss 36 to 41. Luke Goncalves, Ross Goncalves, Aaron Carver, and Lane McBee would come out with wins. Josh Rose wrestled number 3 ranked 2A Myzeck McArthur and would lose, but he wrestled well and would win plenty over the next two days.
New Castle/Upton would go down 18 to 59 against Worland. The 126 pound weight class would be the featured match as the Dogies had number 6 ranked Cael Holmes face number 3 ranked Ross Goncalves. Ross would get the win by fall giving the Warriors the 6 points.
The match with Pinedale would be the closet of the weekend with a 43-42 Warrior win. Aaron Carver, Lane McBee, Luke Goncalves would contribute 6 points each to the win. Again Ross Goncalves was challeged by the number 7 State ranked Ethan Kemp and get the win by fall.
A 66-6 win over Wind River would see wins by the entire team but one. Next would see the Warriors face Defending Wyoming 3A State Champion. The current number one ranked team Star Valley. The Braves have ranked wrestlers in 13 of the 14 weight classes. Luke Goncalves, the current number one ranked wrestler at the 160 pound weight class, would win by fall. The 152 pound weight class showed number 2 ranked Joe Thompson against number 3 ranked Aaron Carver with Thompson getting the win.
Lander Valley would show up with 182 pound weight class number 1 ranked Jack Sweeney to face number 2 ranked Warrior Lane McBee. Sweeney would get the win but Lane had a great showing. Worland won the dual 42-31.
Overall the Warriors competed well winning 4 of the 6 duals. Luke Goncalves won all his matches going 5-0 with one win by forfeit. The 145 pound weight class for the Warriors also showed undefeated. Colton Woffinden went 5-0 with a forfeit during the duals. 126 pound weight class Ross Goncalves went 5-1. Aaron Carver, Lane McBee, and Josh Rose all went 4-2. Varsity wrestling will resume January 11th in Thermopolis after the Winter Break.
Photos Courtesy of Gail Carver
