SPECIAL TO THE PIONEER — The Lyman Eagle wrestling team wrapped up their season last week at the state meet in Casper on Friday, Feb. 26, with Sefton Douglass becoming a 3-peat state champion.

Although few in numbers, the Eagles definitely made their presence known. With just six wrestlers qualifying for state, the Eagles placed 10^th out of 17 teams. That is quite a feat for the Eagles as they competed against 16 much larger 3A teams. Head coach Travis Ayres said, "It has a been a weird wrestling season. As for the state tournament, I think under the circumstances, things turned out pretty good. Only having six kids qualify for state, but still ending up in the top 10 demonstrates the talent these athletes have.”

Overcoming first round nerves, the Eagles showed grit and composure, winning five of their first round matches. Morgan Hatch came out strong winning his first match ever at a state tournament as a freshman against a tough Wheatland opponent. Chevy Fackrell wrestled tough winning two matches, and first time state qualifier Jean Nelson also put points up for the Eagles winning two matches.    

Kazzen Siler, 106 pound weight class, won his first three matches, putting him in the finals against Kale Knezovich from Green River. The championship match was an exciting one, tied 4-4 at the end of three rounds, it went into overtime. After a hard fought battle, Knezovich managed to score two points giving him the win with Siler finishing in 2^nd place.

“Kazzen wrestled as good as he has all year before losing an overtime match in the finals, but he should be happy with All-State honors and a state-runner up,” Ayres added.

Sefton Douglass, at 113, was looking for his third consecutive state championship. After winning his first three matches, Douglas went up against Zachary Covolo from Rawlins in the championship match. Covolo was no match for Douglass as Douglas won 8-1 to become a three-time state champion. “Sefton remains on track to be Lyman's first 4-time state champion,” Ayres said.

At 145 pounds, Braxton Sabey won his first match then took the mat against last year’s state champ, and this year’s winner, Lane Ewing from Douglas. It was a hard fought battle, but Sabey came up short. However, after losing that match in the second round, Sabey came back hard, wrestling another three matches to put him in the round to determine 5^th and 6^th place. Sabey pinned Star Valley’s Xavier Jirak to bring home the 5^th place medal.

“Braxton Sabey has been one round from placing three times at the state tournament,” Ayres said. “We don't have a kid on our team who deserved to get through that round and earn a state medal more than Braxton. Braxton has been a great leader on this team and his presence will be missed."

Ayres added, “I really appreciate all the support we had from the parents, fans and sponsors this year. Wrestling isn't possible without it.”