Rocky Middle School wrestlers open season in Cody

The Rocky Mountain Middle School wrestling team opened its season Saturday at Cody, stepping onto the mats after only one week of practice. Many wrestlers had only recently finished fall sports, but new head coach Eddie Whiting said the Grizzlies made a strong start.

“The first week of practice is always a great time to knock the cobwebs off and get back to the grind,” Whiting said. “We had a great first tournament. We had some athletes do well but didn’t place. There is a lot of progress that’s been made, and now we can focus on small details and make huge progress.”

Rocky’s B-division boys led the way. At 84 pounds, Gus Loyning went 3-0, pinning all three opponents to win the championship. His final pin came against teammate Peyton Grizzle in 1:04 in an all-Rocky title match. Grizzle finished 2-1 and second, with two earlier pins.

Jacob Undem also earned a runner-up finish at 98 pounds in B division. Undem went 4-1, recording three pins and a 5-1 decision before falling in the championship match. Heavyweight Brady Morgan finished 1-1, opening his day with a pin of a Powell wrestler.

In A division, Ryker James placed fourth at 77 pounds with a 2-2 record, including 12-0 and 15-2 consolation victories. Gabe Walker went 1-2 and placed fourth at 132 pounds after pinning a Powell opponent in the quarterfinals. Aden Spencer also finished fourth at 180 pounds, ending 0-2.

At 91 pounds, Tagg Harris finished 0-2, while Cody Kougl went 0-2 at 115 pounds in two close losses, including a 10-9 decision. Heavyweight Barry Jolley recorded two quick pins, in 22 seconds and 31 seconds, his efforts earned him a first place.

Rocky’s girls also brought home medals. Harper Griffin placed third at 126 pounds with a 2-1 record, pinning a Riverton wrestler before earning a 23-8 technical-fall win over Lovell’s Scarlette Hubbs in the third-place match.

Kinli Bitton placed third at 132 pounds, going 2-1 with an 18-3 technical fall and a 21-8 major-decision victory over teammate Alexis Clark. Clark finished fourth at 132 pounds with a 1-2 record, including a pin in the consolation semifinal.

At 91 pounds, Eleanor Johnson went 0-2, while Penelope Wambeke competed in three bouts at 120 pounds going 0-3. Both gained valuable early-season experience.

Whiting said he has leaned especially on experienced eighth graders Bitton, Griffin, Walker, Jolley and Loyning, along with several younger wrestlers. This week, the team will review what worked in Cody, correct weaknesses and add new moves to its growing “bag of tricks.”

The Grizzlies wrestle in Powell Saturday, with action starting at 10 a.m.