Coach David Holland took the Panther girls’ wrestling team to a tough Sheridan tournament last Saturday for the experience of facing a level of opponents not normally seen until the Ron Thon or state. He got his wish.

“Overall, I was proud of the girls,” he said. “I knew that we didn’t have a full lineup coming into this tournament, but I was more focused on the head to head matchups.”

While the Panthers didn’t have enough wrestlers and gave up too many weight classes to get many wins at the Sheridan Lady Bronc Dual Tournament, the Panthers won the head-to-head matches against Kelly Walsh 4-3 and Newcastle 5-1, and split 3-3 on the head-to-heads between Thunder Basin and Campbell County. 

“Allison LeBlanc finished 5-0 for the Panthers and is 11-1 on the season, while Eleasah Horsley and Caydee Eden also went undefeated, both going 4-0. 

“I believe that the Sheridan tournament was an incredible opportunity to use as a growing experience,” LeBlanc told Holland after the tournament. “There were tough girls, especially getting the opportunity to wrestle someone from out of state (Pennsylvania). My mindset moving towards the rest of the season is to reflect after each match and use that reflection to continue to grow.”

Holland said the dual against Camp Hill out of Pennsylvania included a thrilling contest with Nalani Jordan on the mat. 

“It was a complete scrambling match as the score was 29-27 as the Camp Hill girl caught Nalani in the end of the third period in a pin,” Holland said. “As a coach I’ve never seen a high scoring match like that in my life.”

Jordan finished 4-1 for the day. 

“Our other girls gained experience by getting valuable mat time. I told some of our newer girls in wrestling that win or lose, it’s a learning experience,” he said.

Holland said after the tournament he gave the girls time off until the 28th, when they’ll be back on the mats to prepare for a trip to Bozeman, Montana on Jan. 3-4 with the boys team. 

“I am blessed to have such a great support system from the parents, volunteers, and coaches,” Holland said. “Even though we have nine wrestlers, Powell represents well at our tournaments bringing family and friends.That’s a huge advantage to have our community have our backs.”

Kelly Walsh 42, Powell 20

The Powell girls traveled to Sheridan Saturday for the Lady Broncs Dual Tournament to test themselves against tougher, and often bigger, opponents, starting with Kelly Walsh. 

Caydee Eden (100) opened the match with three points for Powell with a 12-8 decision over Michell Henman. After a forfeit at 105, Powell retook the lead 9-6 when Allison LeBlanc (110) won by fall over Tristan Harns. 

After a double forfeit at 115, Eleasah Horsley (120) won by fall over Keira Littau to make it 15-6. 

River James (125) lost by fall to Olyvia Roscoe and Powell forfeited 130 and 135 to go down 24-15. 

Nalani Jordan (140) won by 22-2 tech fall over Emily Moreno to make get Powell within three at 24-20, but the Panthers would get no closer. 

Both teams forfeited at 145, Addison Farnsworth (155) lost by fall to Adryauna Coon, Ellidi Joy (170) lost by fall to Meliame Langi, both teams forfeited at 190 and Kelly Walsh won by forfeit at 235 to round out the win. 

Campbell County 54, Powell 24

The Panthers didn’t get a break from 4A competition in the second match against Campbell County. 

After Powell got a forfeit win at 100 and both teams forfeited 105, LeBlanc (110) won by fall over Ellie Bouzis and Horsley won by fall over Emerald Nava to put the Panthers ahead 18-0. 

The Camels took a 24-18 lead over the next four weights, as James (120) lost by fall to Emily Ackerman and Powell forfeited the next three weights. 

Jordan (140) won by fall over Karlie Balfanz to again tie it, but those were the last points for Powell. 

The Panthers forfeited at 145, Farnsworth lost by fall to Haylee Blomberg at 155, Joy (170) lost by fall to Elyse Neph and Powell forfeited the final two weights. 

Thunder Basin 48, Powell 29

In the final pool B match the Panthers matched up against the other Gillette team in Thunder Basin. 

The teams exchanged forfeits in the first two weights, then LeBlanc won by fall against Khloe Rogers to put Powell ahead 12-6. Thunder Basin forfeited at 115 and both at 120 to give Powell an 18-6 edge. 

The lead couldn’t last. James (125) lost by fall to Josie Raber and Thunder Basin won the next two weights by forfeit to go ahead 24-18. 

Jordan (140) won by 17-0 tech fall to cut the deficit to one, but it was the last scoring for Powell. 

Powell forfeited at 145, Farnsworth (155) lost by fall to Laynee Pilcher and Ellidi Joy (170) lost by fall to Rowen Ortega-Hand. 

(No results were available for the Newcastle or Camp Hill duals.)