The Braves wrestling team put on a show on Day 1 of the Wyoming State Championships as they racked up 184.0 team points and put six wrestlers into Saturdays finals as they took a huge step towards claiming their third straight Wyoming 3A state title.

Star Valley is 63 points in front of second place Worland who scored 121.0 team points on the first day of the tournament. The Cody Broncs are third so far with 113.0.

Individually, the Braves had 12 grapplers advance to the semifinals round and six of them took the next step.

Haze Child (106), Spencer Angell (113), Gavin Patterson (126), Trevor Clark (145), Kyle Kunz (160) and Josh Dawson (220) all earned All-State status by advancing to the finals.

The surprise of the night came at 160 pounds as Kyle Kunz nipped his teammate Koa DeLong 8-6 in sudden victory.

Logan Hoopes (113), Tyson Hoopes (138), Kodi Burk (152), Koa DeLong (160), Matt Hunting (182) and Hunter Cranney (Hwt) all lost their semi-final matches but secured a medal at state and will all be alive in Saturday’s wrestlebacks.

The biggest disappointment of the day came early on as Grayson Hicks’ injury was deemed too much to wrestle as the junior had to forfeit the tournament at 132 pounds. Hicks had battled all season long to come back at the 3A West Regionals and punch his ticket to the state tournament.

We’re Baaaack

Spencer Angell has been able to overcome a shoulder injury to not only qualify for state but to return to the finals where he finished as the state runner-up last season. Angell does have an individual state championship at 98 pounds in the State of Idaho before moving to Star Valley three years ago.

Gavin Patterson is in the finals for the third straight year where he will look to cap off a tremendous career. For Josh Dawson, he’s already become Star Valley’s first ever two-time Ron Thon champion and he has one more match as he tries for back-to-back undefeated seasons.

New Kids on the Block

As a freshman it’s not like Haze Child could have been in the finals before, but he is already making waves as he sets the table for what could be a stellar career. Kyle Kunz had a terrific season wrestling in several varsity tournaments but has been the second varsity wrestler at 160 pounds all season long. Now he has a chance to pull off one of the more memorable tournament runs in school history.

Wrestling Back

Star Valley has won a lot of state championships in the early morning hours of the Saturday wrestlebacks and this year provides ample opportunities for some serious points. Brayden Andrews (106), Logan Hoopes (113), Tristian Hicks (120), Trey Waldron (120), Ren King (132), Greyson Hunsaker (152), Trent Clark (170), David Walker (170), Brennan Harris (182), Connor O’Brien (195) and Parker Merritt (Hwt) will all be in action along with those who lost in the semi-final round.

Join SVI for audio coverage during Saturday’s run as the Braves wrap up their season.