CASPER – A dynamic duo of two athletes, both new to high school wrestling, propelled the Torrington High School girls’ wrestling team to 19th place out of 45 teams competing at the girls’ state wrestling championships in Casper from February 27-March 1.

Freshman Catherine Hendricks advanced to the championship match in the 120-pound bracket to bag silver in her weight class. Sophomore Catie Reimer, also in her first year grappling for the Lady Blazers, battled her way back through the consolation blood rounds on Friday to clinch fifth place at 235 pounds.

Coach Cody Grant expressed pride in the performances of both wrestlers.

“Catie didn’t start wrestling until the first of this year and only competed in a handful of matches,” Grant said. “She improved every week and that was on display at regionals and state. She really improved on her feet and got good takedowns.”

“We expected Catherine to be in the finals, she’s that good,” Grand added. “The other girl (in the finals) was equally as good. They are two of the best girls pound for pound in the state. Catherine battled amazingly and put everyone on notice that she is one of best girls in the state for any weight.”

Round by round

Hendricks kicked off the state tournament with a pin against Pinedale’s Evelyn Shivers at 5 minutes, 6 seconds into the first round at 120 pounds.

Moving up to the quarterfinals, Hendricks felled Charli Bybee of Evanston with 1:33 remaining on the clock in the third period.

Stepping onto the mats for the semifinals, Hendricks defeated Star Valley’s Keston Johnson by fall at 3:55.

The championship match pitted Hendricks against Lilly Quintanilla of Thermopolis. Hendricks and Quintanilla fought through three neck-and-neck periods with Quintanilla ultimately winning by a 10-6 decision.

Reimer initially fell in the quarterfinals at 235 pounds before turning the tables in the consolation wrestle-backs on Friday. Reimer felled Kelly Walsh’s Stormy Tatro 54 seconds into the second consolation round before taking down Juana Hines of Wind River only 34 seconds into the third consolation match.

Despite coming up short in the consolation semifinals, Reimer battled back to pin Tamra Knight of Wright with two seconds remaining in the fifth-place match.