Plainsmen Take Top Honors at the Blazer Duals

The Laramie Plainsmen wrestling team bounced back after a pair of sluggish dual losses by winning the Blazer Duals in Torrington last Saturday.

Laramie (8-5) opened with a 59-24 win over Wheatland. That was followed by a 66-12 win over an All-Star team of unattached wrestlers. In the third round, the Plainsmen topped Glenrock 39-30.

Natrona provided the opposition in the semifinals, and Laramie prevailed 39-30 over the Mustangs.

In the title match, the Plainsmen beat the host Torrington Trailblazers 39-36. Junior Carless Looney pinned his foe in 52 seconds, and that got LHS over the top.

Head coach Mikah Kadera said, “It was a better weekend than we’ve had, pretty much the whole year. It was a good response, because we weren’t wrestling well last week… The guys came out wanting to win and showed what type of we are and can be.”

Looney led Laramie with a 5-0 record on the day. Kaden Schriner and Idris Elias both went 4-0 with another win by forfeit. Tristan Rogers went 3-0 with two victories by forfeit. Zech Aguilar added a 4-1 mark, while Arsenio Lemus was 3-1.

The Plainsmen return to the mat Wednesday versus Cheyenne Central. The varsity match begins at 6 p.m.

Indoor Track and Field

The 2016 season debuted in Spearfish, SD last Saturday at the Stadium Sports Grill High School Classic. Laramie collected a pair of individual victories on the track and had 11 top-three finishes.

Chris Henry won the 3200 meters, and McCade Johnson won the 60 meter hurdles.

Henry added a runner-up finish in the 1600 meters, while the Plainsmen 4X400 meter relay team was also second. Tyler Dahl was third in the 400 meters, as was Nate Albers in the Pole Vault.

For the Lady Plainsmen, Kayla Sherrodd was runner-up in the 400 meters and third in the 800 meters. Maria Smith-Lopez came in second in the 3200 meters and third in the 1600. The girls 4X400 relay team also finished third.

Head coach Greg Schabron said, “Overall, I was impressed… the competitive attitude is there; fitness level, still raw, but we have something to work with now… Great, great weekend for the kids; some great performances.”

The squads head to Gillette for competition Saturday at 10 a.m.

Boys Swimming and Diving

Laramie swept Kelly Walsh and Sheridan in a double dual and also finished fourth at the mid-season South Invite in Cheyenne.

The Plainsmen won only three events, but managed to beat Kelly Walsh, 96-90, and Sheridan, 128-44, last Friday at the Laramie Community Recreation Center.

LHS won the 200 medley relay. Cas Sheridan captured the 500 freestyle, and Logan Pickard came in first in the 100 backstroke.

Saturday, Laramie compiled 135 points, but finished well back of Gillette (271), who won the team title. Kelly Walsh (177) was second, while Scottsbluff (NE) came in third only nine points ahead of LHS.

Sheridan won the 500 freestyle in a time of 5:10.91. He also came in third in the 200 freestyle, while Laramie’s 200 freestyle relay was also third.

The Plainsmen will compete in the Conference Duals in Gillette on Friday and Saturday.