Lovell Mustangs shake the brackets in Riverton

Rolling into Riverton Saturday, the Lovell Mustangs competed at the Spartan Invitational. With 13 teams from across the state attending, head coach Joey Bassett emphasized how big a tournament it was, mentioning there were 135 more kids compared to last year.
“I was very happy with the way we wrestled this weekend,” Bassett said. “There were only a few kids that didn’t put it all out there, but other than that, everyone wrestled hard.” The Mustangs  managed to rack up their points with 20 placers  and claimed fifth place as a team.
Coach Bassett specifically shouted out sixth grader Landon Asay for his performance this weekend in the B Division 98-pound weight class. With 18 competitive wrestlers in his bracket, Asay managed to work through his matches to place fourth.
“Asay came to wrestle this weekend,” Bassett said. “Riverton is a big tournament, and he wrestled really well against his opponents.”
Anthony Garcia swung into his bracket to claim first place in the 132A weight bracket by pinning opponent Braydon Marchetti of Lander Middle School.
Taevyn Gruell stood on top in the 175A weight class after pinning all three of his opponents.
Andrew Entel claimed his bracket after going 3-0 in the 145B weight class.
Other Placers were:
Second place: Jayden Hunder, Division B 132, 2-1 record; Bella Gallagher, Girls Division 130 – 142, 2-1 record.
Third place: Aaiden Walker, Division A 120, 3-1 record; Hunter Kei, Division A 138, 3-1 record; Monte Blank, Division A 155, 3-1 record.
Fourth place: Christian Garcia, Division A 155, 2-2 record; Xaden Baxendale, Division B 70, 2-2 record; Joseph Durfee, Division B 77, 1-2 record; Jerric McArthur, Division B 84, 4-2 record; Oscar Garcia, Division B 120, 3-2 record; Kaylynn Mickelson, Girl’s Division 102 – 112, 2-2 record; Vada Schmidt, Girl’s Division 112 – 119, 2-2 record.
Fifth place: Wyatt Blank, Division A 77, 3-2 record; Eliza Wagner, Girl’s Division 112 – 119, 2-2 record; Christy Aagard, Girl’s Division 119 – 128, 2-2 record.
Sixth place: Jasper Lopez, Division A 98, 2-3 record; Jaxen Baxendale, Division A 115, 0-2 record.
This Saturday, the Mustangs will travel to Worland to face off against a variety of teams that will keep
them on their toes. Wrestling is schedule to begin at 10 a.m. The Mustangs also wrestled a dual at Powell Tuesday evening.