Whiting takes reins of RMHS wrestling program

There’s a new coach at the helm of the Rocky Mountain High School wrestling program, and roster numbers are up as the new season begins.
Eddie Whiting takes over this year from longtime coach Daniel Robertson, bringing years of experience as both a competitor and coach.
“How I knew coaching was my gig was in high school when I got to coach Little Grizz,” Whiting said. “The kindergarten class, boy they were a bunch of head and arm hunters (everyone that knows me knows I hate a head and arm). But that started my passion for coaching.
“I started volunteer coaching for the Natrona Colts in Casper for about three years. Then when I moved back to Cowley in 2018, I jumped in with the Big Horn Rams for about three years. I served two years as an assistant coach for RMMS, then moved up to RMHS for two years.
“I’ve been competing in wrestling since I was 5 in AAU and then with RMMS and RMHS. I was a one-time state champ at 119 and a three-time state placer. I went on to college at Northwest. I placed fourth at Regionals my freshman year, red-shirted my sophomore year, then moved on from college to compete in USA Wrestling, where I finally retired from competing in 2019.”
Whiting is working with 19 wrestlers as the season begins including four with high school experience.
“I am extremely excited for this season,” Whiting said. “We have two returning seniors in Hunter Aagard and Thomas Winters of Burlington, and with them are a pair or sophomores in Triffen Jolley and Emmilee Wambeke. Two were at State and fell short in the blood rounds of placing, and two fell short at Regionals.
“The only weakness I feel that we may have issues with is that we are a young team and may make young mistakes. It’s a good thing that our strengths outweigh the weaknesses. These guys and gals are fast learners and want to be pushed to the next level. They are a competitive team.”
For the boys, the Grizz have freshmen Dalan Wambeke and Sam Loyning at 126 pounds, sophomores Colten Bitton and Jacoby Wachob at 132, Winters at 138, sophomore Clayton Thompson at 144, Jolley and junior Michael Bassett of Burlington at 150, senior Boston Stebner at 157, freshman William Torres, sophomore Landon Pruett and Aagard at 190, freshman Masen Twomey and junior Wyatt Houchin of Burlington at 215 and junior Curtis Wachob at 285.
For the girls, freshman Jameeliv Brost will wrestle at 113 pounds, Emmilee Wambeke at 126, junior Rebecca Herren at 138 and senior Katelynne Herren at 138, as well.
The Grizzlies will open the season at the Powell Invitational Friday and Saturday.
“I will have Triffen Jolley , Michael Bassett, Hunter Aagard, Thomas Winters, Colten Bitton, Emmilee Wambeke and Rebecca Herren in varsity at Powell, and the rest of the team will be with assistant coach Jesse Dewey in the JV gym,” Whiting said. “Our new assistant coach Jesse is from Idaho and lives in Burlington. He’s been coaching for a bit, and  he makes a great addition to our wrestling family. We couldn’t be happier to have the guy with us.”
Wrestling begins at 1 p.m. Friday and continues Saturday at 9 a.m.