TORRINGTON – The Torrington High School Blazers confidently stepped up to the challenge on the mats over the course of a successful weekend, beginning with a commanding 45-18 dual victory against Alliance, Nebraska, at the Willi Gym on February 1.

On Saturday, February 3, Torrington captured first place in the “C” Pool at the Rumble in Rawlins Dual Invitational after defeating both Mountain View and Natrona County High School. 

The Blazers advanced to the Gold Bracket and placed fourth overall.

Rawlins also featured a girls’ bracket-style invitational. Sophomore Aubree Fahrmeyer represented the Lady Blazers and secured third place in the 145-pound division.

Head coach Cody Grant expressed pride in the team’s victory over Alliance.

“I was really pleased with the team’s performance against Alliance,” Grant said. “We rebounded from a loss to Scottsbluff on Tuesday and found redemption in the dual against Alliance. We had really big wins in several weights that helped set the momentum for a successful weekend.”

Torrington’s solid showing at Rawlins place the Blazers in a strong position as the postseason approaches.

“We won two duals against pretty good teams (Mountain View and Natrona County),” Grant said. “We had big wins against strong opponents that will pay off in the postseason. Several of our wrestlers went undefeated. Between the dual on Thursday and Rawlins, I feel like we are in a good placed headed into the postseason.”

Alliance Dual

The Blazers won early matches against Alliance on Thursday, setting the pace for  Torrington’s 45-18 victory. 

Sophomore Colby Sandusky battled Alliance’s Tate Thompson through three periods in the 144-pound match to score a decisive win by a 7-2 decision.

In the 175-pound match, senior Bryce Hager defeated Matthew Moomey by an 8-5 decision.

Senior Reece Grubbs pinned Jackson Bailey 48 seconds into the second period at 126 pounds.

In the subsequent match at 132 pounds, junior Barrett Eichenberger fought Benjamin Cassatt-Reina through three periods before prevailing by a 9-5 decision.

Sophomore Ty Albaugh topped the dual off with a pin against Andrew Benzel 13 seconds into the second period at 138 pounds.

Rumble in Rawlins

The action opened in Pool “C” with Torrington crushing Mountain View, 56-24. Maintaining their momentum into the second dual, the Blazers soundly defeated Natrona County High School, 54-30. 

Torrington’s back-to-back wins secured first place for the varsity squad in Pool “C” and the team advanced to the semifinals in the Gold Bracket to square off against the Rock Springs Tigers. Rock Springs proved a tough nut to crack, and Torrington ultimately fell, 51-24, to place fourth in the Gold Bracket.

Four Blazers posted undefeated records at the Rumble in Rawlins – Albaugh, Sandusky, junior Kaden Romig (150 pounds) and sophomore Brendan Woodard (157).

Sophomore Amon Napier (113 pounds), junior Tyler Nicolay (120 pounds), Grubbs, Eichenberger and Hager each went 2-1.