Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Local Grapplers Show Well At River Valley Ruckus Tourney

It was another long weekend for the local wrestlers as they made the trip to North Platte this past weekend for the River Valley Ruckus Tournament.

Four of Kimball's wrestlers were picked for dual teams outside the area, as was one wrestler from the Tri-State Grapplers. They were Matthew Johnson, Trey Schindler, Camron McGinnis and Britton Culek, along with Cable Botha for the Grapplers.

Teams were made up of 14 individual wrestlers from all over the United States. One wrestler was chosen for each weight class, and the wrestlers were then placed into to pool brackets.

What a great opportunity for young wrestlers to be coached by some of the top coaches and to meet new kids from different states.

Sunday individual matches took place results for Kimball Wrestling Club as follows:

1st-2nd 50 division, Britton Culek placed first and scored 21.5 team points.

1st-2nd 55 division, Trajan Johnson scored six team points.

1st-2nd, Kasyn Synder placed fourth and scored 11 team points.

3rd-4th 70 division, Isaac Rohde scored eight team points.

3rd-4th 75 division, Camron McGinnis placed third and scored 15.5 team points.

3rd-4th 115 division, Hunter Lonsdale placed fourth and scored four team points.

7th-8th 75 division, Matthew Johnson placed third and scored nine team points.

7th-8th, Trey Schindler placed third and scored 16 team points.

Tri-State Grapplers individual results from Sunday as follows:

1st-2nd 45 division, Jesse Gortney placed second and scored 17 team points.

1st-2nd 60 division, Jax Thurin placed first and scored 22.5 team points.

1st-2nd 65 division, Jax Thurin placed third and scored 18 team points.

3rd-4th 60 division, Cable Botha placed second and scored 20 team points.

Kimball came in 9th out of 40 teams with 91 team points and the Grapplers were right behind in 10th place with 81.5 points.

Kyle Thurin of the Grapplers made the trip to Riverton, Wyoming, last weekend to compete in the Ron Thon Memorial Varsity tournament.

Champ. Round 1 – Nathan Hatch (Rocky Mountain) 16-5 won by fall over Kyle Thurin (Burns/Pine Bluffs) 22-7 (Fall 4:48)

Cons. Round 1 – Kyle Thurin (Burns/Pine Bluffs) 22-7 won by decision over Gabe Mitchell (Torrington) 15-11 (Dec 8-4)

Cons. Round 2 – Kyle Thurin (Burns/Pine Bluffs) 22-7 won in sudden victory -1 over Ethan Carson (Pinedale) 13-19 (SV-1 3-1)

Cons. Round 3 – Tate Carson (Southeast) 29-5 won by fall over Kyle Thurin (Burns/Pine Bluffs) 22-7 (Fall 2:45)

Kimball Wrestling Club will host its wrestling tournament this coming weekend Sunday, Feb. 3, at Kimball High School. Nearly 250 wrestlers are expected to be in attendance. On average, each wrestler will bring three to five spectators to this event.

Doors open at 8 a.m. and matches begin at 9 a.m. Everyone is invited to come cheer on the local wrestlers from Kimball Wrestling Club, Tri-State Grapplers and the Banner County MatCats.

Concessions will be served all day.