TORRINGTON – The Torrington High School wrestling team finished 2-3 on the day to finish fourth at the Blazer Duals at Willi Gym on Saturday.
The Blazers went 2-1 in their pool with wins over Newcastle and Niobrara County. Torrington came up short against Laramie.
In the opening round, the Blazers defeated Newcastle, 48-36.
The Dogies won the first five matches before Austin Fox put Torrington in the scoring column with a pin of Jacob Rhoades at 138 pounds.
It was the beginning of seven straight wins for Torrington securing the victory for the Blazers.
The teams split the final two bouts of the dual with Newcastle getting the win at 220 pounds, while Blazer Brandon Bennick got the forfeit win at 285.
In the second round, the Blazers fell 42-39 to the Laramie Plainsmen.
Laramie won the first four of five matches before Torrington’s Tristian Kingsley recorded a pin at 145 pounds.
The Blazers also picked up falls at 152, 160 and 170, but it wouldn’t be enough as the teams traded wins over the final five matches, allowing the Plainsmen to edge Torrington.
In the final pool match, the Blazers defeated the Niobrara County Tigers, 46-36.
Torrington’s DJ Mackey set the tone for the match, winning by fall at 120 pounds.
The Blazers lost the next two matches, but Austin Fox’s victory at 138 pounds started the string of five straight wins – four by fall and one by major decision.
In the opening round of the championship bracket, the Wheatland Bulldogs knocked off Torrington, 51-30.
The Bulldogs opened the match winning the first five bouts.
Jacob Polkowske picked up the first win of the match for Torrington at 160 pounds. Josh Kingsley, Alejandro Chavarria, Rhiley Grubbs and Bennick picked up wins the middle stages o the match, but Wheatland finished the Blazers off with three straight wins – including two falls.
The loss dropped the Blazers to the third-place match against Glenrock.
The Herders handed Torrington a 45-36 loss.
Tristen Kingsley, Polkowske, Josh Kingsley, Grubbs, Bennick and Michael Sandusky got wins in the loss for the Blazers.
For the day, Polkowske, Josh Kinglsey, Grubbs and Bennick all finished the day 5-0, while Tristian Kingsley went 4-1.
The Blazer varsity team will travel to Lander Friday and Saturday, while the junior varsity wrestlers head to the Dogger Invite in Lingle on Saturday.
