Plainsmen Finish Fourth With Three Champions at Regionals

The Laramie Plainsmen wrestling team brought home three titles and placed fourth at the 4A East Regional Wrestling Tournament in Gillette last weekend.

Arsenio Lemus at 120 pounds, Idris Elias at 126 and Carless Looney at 170 were victorious in their respective weight classes. It’s the second regional crown for Looney, but the first for both Lemus and Elias.

Lemus won his title match with a 6-0 decision. Elias took his by major decision, 12-3. Looney pinned all three of his opponents in route to the title.

Those results helped the Plainsmen scored 162 points over the two-day competition.

Head coach Mikah Kadera said placement at regionals wasn’t a priority.

“We’re not worried about a fourth place or even if we were to win Regionals; not a big deal to us because State’s what matters. A lot went out and performed well at Regionals, and it’s exactly what we’re gonna have to do at State to be a top four team.”

Gillette won the regional with 249 points. Sheridan was second (194), while East came in third place (182).

Laramie finished with 16 placers, which included nine in the top four. Those nine will receive a seed at the 4A State Championships this week in Casper.

Other top placers included Will Kozlowski, who came in second at 152 pounds. Kaden Schriner was third at 145. Then, Ethan Sell at 106, Ryder Gill at 120, Kolton Moss at 170 and Zech Aguilar at 182 all finished in fourth place.

Overall, the Plainsmen qualified 18 wrestlers for the state tournament.

Kadera said of that total, “That’s the most Laramie’s had in a while… so that’s good; we’re moving up, moving in the right direction… and 18 guys that can do something; that’s the biggest thing.”

The 4A State Wrestling Championships are February 26 and 27 in Casper at the Events Center.