Pinkerton finishes fifth at state

By SCOTT BORKGREN
Reporter

After Matt Widiker broke his foot and couldn’t compete in the 3A State Wrestling Championships, Troy Pinkerton became Glenrock’s last, best chance to make a deep run.

The 189 pounder finished in second place in the 3A East Regional Tournament, losing in the championship to Douglas’ Colter McNare.

He was pitted against Lander’s Dalton Crane in the first round of the tourney. It was a close match that went the full three rounds, but Pinkerton was able to prevail in the end with a 13-9 decision.

Up next was Derek Robinson of Mountain View. Pinkerton must have been working through some jitters in the first match because the second round wasn’t nearly as close. Pinkerton won easily, defeating Robinson 16-8 for a major decision.

In the semi-finals Pinkerton faced a tough opponent in Monte Nickels of Powell and was pinned in 1:01.

The Wyoming State Wrestling Tournament is a double elimination bracket though. So Glenrock’s only remaining combatent was down, but not out.

Pinkerton took on Charlie Flickinger of Jackson for a chance to move on to the third/fourth place contest, but was pinned in 4:16.

There is an exception to the double elimination format at the state wrestling tourney. This year, the 189 lb. bracket exception was named Pinkerton. If a wrestler moves through the bracket just right, they will end up wrestling one more match for fifth/ sixth place after losing twice.

This happened to Pinkerton and to his second round opponent, Robinson. The rematch was on.

Pinkerton jumped out to a quick 5-0 start in the first minute and had Robinson on his back, on the verge of being pinned, right away. Robinson was able to hold Pinkerton off until the end of the period.

Robinson notched a takedown to start the second period, making the score 5-2, but Pinkerton promptly escaped and notched a takedown of his own with 43 seconds remaining.

Pinkerton started down at the beginning of the third period, but that lasted all of 10 seconds because he promptly reversed the hold. Robinson reversed right back with 1:12 remaining to make the score 10-4. Pinkerton escaped shortly thereafter for another point, but was taken down to the mat by Robinson, making the score 11-6 with less than a minute remaining.

He reversed Ronbinson’s hold for two more points, and put Robinson on his back with 13 seconds left, going for the pin. He didn’t get it, but did earn three more points for a near fall, finishing with a 16-6 victory and going back to Glenrock with a fifth place finish in his pocket.

This is part of the March 4, 2010 online edition of The Glenrock Independent.

Have an opinion on this matter? We'd like to hear from you. Click here.