Five wrestlers punched their tickets to the State Wrestling Championships in Casper this upcoming weekend, as the Powell High School girls’ wrestling team had four finalists including one champion at the 4A West Regional Championships at home on Friday and Saturday.

“All five of those girls, they’ve been our heavy hitters all season. Super proud of them,” coach Jeriah Horsley said. “Every single one of them, even the ones that aren’t going to state with us, they’ve all shown so much improvement.”

Leading the way for Powell was Allison LeBlanc, who started with a 15-0 tech fall before winning with two pins in the quarterfinals and semifinals to reach the championship bout at 110 pounds.

In a close affair in the championship, LeBlanc got the better of Pinedale’s McKinzie Mortensen in overtime, earning a 1-0 sudden victory after a second stalling call on Mortensen.

Another Powell finalist was Caydee Eden at 100 pounds, as she won her first three matches via pin before falling in the championship bout via a 20-2 tech fall to Kemmerer’s Riley Meyer.

Eleasah Horsley was another finalist at 115 pounds for the Panthers, as she won her first three matches via pin. 

In a close battle in the final she came up just short against Kelly Walsh’s Saraval McGregor 10-8 after McGregor used a 6-2 third period to come from behind for the win.

Nalani Jordan was the last finalist for the Panthers, winning her two matches via pin to reach the final after a first round bye, before losing to Kemmerer’s Kaylie Julander in the final via pin in 3 minutes, 14 seconds.

“They were rematches, they’ve all faced them before, so we’ve got little things to work on the next couple of days, but they’re learning,” coach Horsley said. “They’re eager to learn. I see a lot of improvement … I fully believe they can beat them all. Come next weekend, they’re all right there, ready for it.”

The final competitor qualifying for state was Avery LeBlanc at 105 pounds, as she won her first match via pin before falling in the quarterfinals. She rebounded for two straight wins via pin before falling in the consolation semifinal to go 3-2 for the weekend.

Other Panther competitors included Aubrey Blount at 130 pounds who went 0-2; Elora Joy went 0-2 at 145 pounds; Stella Schmidtberger was 0-2 at 155 pounds and Ellidi Joy was 0-2 at 170 pounds.

“I was telling each and every one, from day one, even just the first tournament in Cody to now, the improvement and difference is amazing to watch,” coach Horsley said. “They’re all wrestlers. They’ve all proven themselves, proven to themselves that they can do it. Every match they wrestled, they improved. I don’t think there was one match where I saw any of them just do the same old thing. It was always an improvement every single time.”

Overall the Panthers were fifth in a close team race surrounding them, as they finished half a point ahead of Natrona County, and two points behind Rock Springs. Star Valley took the team title by 52 points over Pinedale with a total of 208 points.

Heading to the state tournament in Casper the Panthers have plenty of individual goals, aiming for those top placements at the Ford Wyoming Center starting on Thursday.

“We’ll just focus on one match at a time for them, and clean up our mistakes that we’ve made,” coach Horsley said. “Our goal is to have fun and leave a legacy for these girls behind us coming up … My goal is to see them all on top of that podium, but one match at a time. They’re focused on it, their heads are in the right space. They’re excited, eager to learn these next couple of days too.”

STATE MATCHUPS

100 pounds — Caydee Eden vs. Erin McMullan (Green River)

105 pounds — Avery LeBlanc vs. Serenity Quintana (Worland)

110 pounds — Allison LeBlanc (bye), will face winner of Isabella Hetzel (Thermopolis) and Emilie Lively (Thunder Basin)

115 pounds — Eleasah Horsley vs. Emellia Winfrey (Torrington)

140 pounds — Nalani Jordan vs. Jenica Steely (Lingle-Ft. Laramie/Southeast)