Eyes on state

For anyone who has followed GHS sports in recent years, it’s no surprise the Herders earned a solid second at Regionals in Burns this past weekend. And for anyone who has paid attention to 2A wrestling in the past four years, it’s no surprise that Moorcroft finished on top.
The Moorcroft team has been 2A state champions five years running and sat comfortably on their throne until Glenrock moved to their division last year.
This year the Herd earned 188 points at Regionals, 91 points behind Moorcroft, but a solid 82 points ahead of third place Wright.
The 2A East pecking order seems to be set. Glenrock is gunning for Moorcroft and everyone else just trying to catch both of them.
Despite the team score, Glenrock finished with three regional champions, Tate Stoddard (113), Joe Taylor (126) and Isak Elisson (152).
A slew of Herders landed on the second pedestal at the end of the tournament. Dustin Simmons (120),  TJ Kraft (132), Brysen Collier (138), Zane Moore (145), Ian Arnold (182) and Jadon Williams (185) all finished second.
In fact of the 19 Herders to take the mats in Burns 18, placed in the top six.
The strong showing by the Herders just shows how tough a competitor Moorcroft is for the local boys.
With the regional tournament results in the history books, Glenrock looks toward state and what it will take to place as a team and return as many state champions as possible.
Three Herders will be looking to retain their titles as they go back to the big arena this weekend.
Tate Stoddard will be returning to state to defend his title at 113 lbs.
Joe Taylor also stayed in the same weight class and will be defending his championship at 126.
Jadon Williams will be standing up for his championship at 285.
Last year the Herders broke their records for both numbers of wrestlers placing at state as well as the team score. Glenrock finished second behind Moorcroft.
This year, the Herd looks to upset that stronghold, but with the regional tournament outcome, it will be an uphill fight for the boys.
The Casper Events Center will be teeming with wrestlers and fans this weekend as they converge for the state finals.
The first round starts at 9 a.m. Friday. Quarter-finals and wrestlebacks will start at 1:30 p.m. with the semi-finals starting at 7 p.m.
Saturday will start at 9 a.m. with more wrestlebacks and consolation semi-finals. At 2:30 p.m. the 3rd and 5th place matches will start. The championship rounds will start at 5:15 p.m.
No matter how the state tournament shakes out it promises to be an intense battle in 2A to unseat the Wolves and prevent them from a 6-peat.