With all the other 3A teams taking their shot at knocking off the Braves to shut them off from winning their seventh straight team title, the Braves could only count on their legion of fans that invaded the Ford Wyoming Center and themselves.
After two days full of wins, losses, injuries and milestones, the team fended off a very good Douglas Bearcat team by just 2.5 team points to claim their seventh straight 3A team title.
Leading by 16.5 points entering the finals, Star Valley had a small cushion to work with but had to overcome some late heartache and drama to cement their top finish.
The Braves put five into the finals with Bridger Smith (113), Peyton Andrews (120) and Winston Green (138) finishing as runner-up in some very difficult match ups.
A pair of undefeated wrestlers in Zac Patterson and Harrison Hoopes have been the closers for the team all season long. Unfortunately, Patterson’s match against Cody’s Greyson Beaudrie saw the Star Valley senior crumple to the ground with a serious knee injury. After almost exhausting his injury time, Patterson got back on his feet and battled for the next several minutes and scored six points on two separate sets of back points after throws with his upper body.
Ultimately, the knee would not allow him to continue as injury time expired, forcing Patterson to withdraw. It was a bitter end to a stellar season and one that affected the entire Star Valley contingent.
At this point, Star Valley led the Bearcats 212.0 to 207.5, meaning a Harrison Hoopes loss and a pin by Douglas heavyweight, Kyle Logar would give the team title to Douglas.
Hoopes battled Cody’s Jace Grant, overcoming an arm injury of his own, and gutted out a 10-6 decision to cap an undefeated season (42-0) and earn the Braves four team points. Harrison becomes the second in his family (Austin) to finish a season undefeated for Star Valley wrestling.
Logar did indeed finish the heavyweight title with a pin, giving his team six points but not enough to overcome Star Valley’s final win.
Read more about the win and get your state championship poster in the March 2, 2022 edition of the Star Valley Independent.
• Rangers claim first team title-
The Kemmerer Rangers emphatically claimed the school’s first ever team wrestling title with 209.5 team points, defeating Moorcroft by nearly 40 points.
The Wolves totaled 170.0 points. Cokeville made the podium with a third-place finish and 151.0 team points.
KHS put six into the finals with Karl Haslem (120), Roany Proffit (126) and Riggen Walker (145) won individual titles.
The Panthers got an individual champion from Landon Walker (182).
Star Valley State Results
3A-106
Levi Byrd (24-11) place is unknown and scored 4.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Kazzen Siler (Lyman) 47-3 won by fall over Levi Byrd (Star Valley) 24-11 (Fall 1:02)
- Cons. Round 1 – Levi Byrd (Star Valley) 24-11 won by fall over Nate Johnson (Worland) 12-20 (Fall 3:57)
- Cons. Round 2 – Levi Byrd (Star Valley) 24-11 won by decision over Adrian Trujillo (Rawlins) 23-10 (Dec 4-3)
- Cons. Round 3 – Brenton Ross (Buffalo) 21-12 won by fall over Levi Byrd (Star Valley) 24-11 (Fall 4:14)
3A-113
Caleb Morrison (31-18) placed 4th.
- Champ. Round 1 – Caleb Morrison (Star Valley) 31-18 won by fall over Hessten Haskins (Douglas) 14-14 (Fall 0:33)
- Quarterfinal – Trey Smith (Cody) 31-1 won by fall over Caleb Morrison (Star Valley) 31-18 (Fall 0:45)
- Cons. Round 2 – Caleb Morrison (Star Valley) 31-18 won by fall over Kobe Swain (Worland) 33-9 (Fall 2:37)
- Cons. Round 3 – Caleb Morrison (Star Valley) 31-18 won by fall over Caden Davis (Wheatland) 13-15 (Fall 0:19)
- Cons. Semi – Caleb Morrison (Star Valley) 31-18 won by fall over Weston Thomas (Powell) 9-9 (Fall 1:59)
- 3rd Place Match – Taylor Baggs (Cody) 18-8 won by fall over Caleb Morrison (Star Valley) 31-18 (Fall 2:22)
3A-113
Bridger Smith (34-12) placed 2nd and scored 24.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Bridger Smith (Star Valley) 34-12 won by fall over Kyah Miller (Newcastle/Upton) 18-12 (Fall 0:21)
- Quarterfinal – Bridger Smith (Star Valley) 34-12 won by fall over Ezra Hernandez (Riverton) 24-14 (Fall 0:36)
- Semifinal – Bridger Smith (Star Valley) 34-12 won by fall over Weston Thomas (Powell) 9-9 (Fall 2:42)
- 1st Place Match – Trey Smith (Cody) 31-1 won by decision over Bridger Smith (Star Valley) 34-12 (Dec 5-0)
3A-120
Peyton Andrews (27-16) placed 2nd and scored 22.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Peyton Andrews (Star Valley) 27-16 won by fall over Weston Angell (Star Valley) 11-13 (Fall 4:24)
- Quarterfinal – Peyton Andrews (Star Valley) 27-16 won by fall over Creedon Newell (Worland) 19-21 (Fall 2:46)
- Semifinal – Peyton Andrews (Star Valley) 27-16 won by decision over Garrett Haley (Pinedale) 35-16 (Dec 2-0)
- 1st Place Match – Kale Knezovich (Green River) 31-8 won by major decision over Peyton Andrews (Star Valley) 27-16 (MD 12-3)
3A-120
Weston Angell (11-13) place is unknown.
- Champ. Round 1 – Peyton Andrews (Star Valley) 27-16 won by fall over Weston Angell (Star Valley) 11-13 (Fall 4:24)
- Cons. Round 1 – Jacob Cook (Green River) 5-4 won by fall over Weston Angell (Star Valley) 11-13 (Fall 2:29)
3A-126
Cameron Kendall (23-12) placed 5th and scored 13.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Cameron Kendall (Star Valley) 23-12 won by fall over Reece Grubbs (Torrington) 11-21 (Fall 2:36)
- Quarterfinal – Cameron Kendall (Star Valley) 23-12 won by decision over Sage Lonn (Rawlins) 32-16 (Dec 9-5)
- Semifinal – Sefton Douglass (Lyman) 46-0 won by tech fall over Cameron Kendall (Star Valley) 23-12 (TF-1.5 4:40 (17-0))
- Cons. Semi – Conner Todd (Green River) 27-12 won by decision over Cameron Kendall (Star Valley) 23-12 (Dec 4-0)
- 5th Place Match – Cameron Kendall (Star Valley) 23-12 won by fall over Kaleb Byrd (Star Valley) 23-11 (Fall 4:04)
3A-126
Kaleb Byrd (23-11) placed 6th.
- Champ. Round 1 – Zachary Covolo (Rawlins) 29-7 won by fall over Kaleb Byrd (Star Valley) 23-11 (Fall 4:29)
- Cons. Round 1 – Kaleb Byrd (Star Valley) 23-11 won by fall over Hayden Hocker (Wheatland) 17-24 (Fall 4:15)
- Cons. Round 2 – Kaleb Byrd (Star Valley) 23-11 won by fall over Wyatt Heffington (Powell) 7-14 (Fall 3:22)
- Cons. Round 3 – Kaleb Byrd (Star Valley) 23-11 won by fall over Sage Lonn (Rawlins) 32-16 (Fall 3:45)
- Cons. Semi – Zachary Covolo (Rawlins) 29-7 won by fall over Kaleb Byrd (Star Valley) 23-11 (Fall 1:16)
- 5th Place Match – Cameron Kendall (Star Valley) 23-12 won by fall over Kaleb Byrd (Star Valley) 23-11 (Fall 4:04)
3A-132
Kaleb Fila (33-14) place is unknown.
- Champ. Round 1 – Kaleb Fila (Star Valley) 33-14 won in sudden victory – 1 over Zander Tass (Buffalo) 18-18 (SV-1 10-2)
- Quarterfinal – Luke Ewing (Douglas) 33-13 won by injury default over Kaleb Fila (Star Valley) 33-14 (Inj. 2:11)
- Cons. Round 2 – Patrick Haney (Powell) 7-8 won by injury default over Kaleb Fila (Star Valley) 33-14 (Inj. 0:00)
3A-132
Porter Merritt (33-15) placed 5th and scored 15.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Porter Merritt (Star Valley) 33-15 won by fall over Patrick Haney (Powell) 7-8 (Fall 1:23)
- Quarterfinal – Ross Goncalves (Worland) 35-16 won by decision over Porter Merritt (Star Valley) 33-15 (Dec 9-6)
- Cons. Round 2 – Porter Merritt (Star Valley) 33-15 won by fall over Vinny Timmons (Powell) 19-18 (Fall 3:52)
- Cons. Round 3 – Porter Merritt (Star Valley) 33-15 won by fall over Sam Gregory (Lyman) 21-31 (Fall 1:25)
- Cons. Semi – Luke Ewing (Douglas) 33-13 won by decision over Porter Merritt (Star Valley) 33-15 (Dec 5-4)
- 5th Place Match – Porter Merritt (Star Valley) 33-15 won by decision over Hunter Smith-Velarde (Lander Valley) 14-17 (Dec 7-0)
3A-138
Winston Green (36-13) placed 2nd and scored 19.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Winston Green (Star Valley) 36-13 won by major decision over Mikey Timmons (Powell) 3-6 (MD 17-3)
- Quarterfinal – Winston Green (Star Valley) 36-13 won by decision over Ryker Mele (Green River) 18-16 (Dec 11-4)
- Semifinal – Winston Green (Star Valley) 36-13 won by decision over Christian Johnson (Douglas) 33-13 (Dec 3-1)
- 1st Place Match – Cody Phelps (Pinedale) 54-0 won by tech fall over Winston Green (Star Valley) 36-13 (TF-1.5 4:00 (18-2))
3A-138
Joseph Naef (6-4) place is unknown.
- Champ. Round 1 – Devin Weber (Wheatland) 52-9 won by major decision over Joseph Naef (Star Valley) 6-4 (MD 17-4)
- Cons. Round 1 – Joseph Naef (Star Valley) 6-4 won by fall over Owen Lungren (Worland) 12-9 (Fall 0:59)
- Cons. Round 2 – Ryker Mele (Green River) 18-16 won by decision over Joseph Naef (Star Valley) 6-4 (Dec 8-2)
3A-145
Jacob Guild (16-7) placed 3rd and scored 18.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Jacob Guild (Star Valley) 16-7 won by decision over Brett Stanton (Green River) 17-20 (Dec 9-4)
- Quarterfinal – Rylan Wehr (Douglas) 49-9 won by decision over Jacob Guild (Star Valley) 16-7 (Dec 13-6)
- Cons. Round 2 – Jacob Guild (Star Valley) 16-7 won by decision over Charles Snyder (Lander Valley) 17-13 (Dec 9-3)
- Cons. Round 3 – Jacob Guild (Star Valley) 16-7 won by fall over Tillman Burns (Worland) 24-18 (Fall 1:45)
- Cons. Semi – Jacob Guild (Star Valley) 16-7 won by fall over James Herwaldt (Green River) 8-5 (Fall 3:50)
- 3rd Place Match – Jacob Guild (Star Valley) 16-7 won by decision over Adrian Archer (Buffalo) 25-14 (Dec 6-3)
3A-152
Kooper Burk (29-14) place is unknown.
- Champ. Round 1 – Jake Hicks (Wheatland) 45-7 won by forfeit over Kooper Burk (Star Valley) 29-14 (For.)
- Cons. Round 1 – Jaxxson Gomez (Green River) 17-21 won by forfeit over Kooper Burk (Star Valley) 29-14 (For.)
3A-152
Chase Housley (19-18) placed 6th and scored 11.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Chase Housley (Star Valley) 19-18 won by fall over Aidan Coberly (Newcastle/Upton) 26-19 (Fall 2:15)
- Quarterfinal – Chase Housley (Star Valley) 19-18 won by fall over Gabe Harris (Lander Valley) 22-11 (Fall 3:23)
- Semifinal – Keltan Ewing (Douglas) 49-5 won by fall over Chase Housley (Star Valley) 19-18 (Fall 1:45)
- Cons. Semi – Ezra Archuleta (Rawlins) 30-14 won by major decision over Chase Housley (Star Valley) 19-18 (MD 13-4)
- 5th Place Match – Gabe Harris (Lander Valley) 22-11 won by fall over Chase Housley (Star Valley) 19-18 (Fall 1:53)
3A-160
Ryan Dunne (35-15) placed 4th and scored 15.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Ryan Dunne (Star Valley) 35-15 won by fall over Nathan Harper (Worland) 26-19 (Fall 0:50)
- Quarterfinal – Ryan Dunne (Star Valley) 35-15 won by major decision over Jean Nelson (Lyman) 25-22 (MD 14-3)
- Semifinal – Wyatt Madole (Pinedale) 44-4 won by decision over Ryan Dunne (Star Valley) 35-15 (Dec 12-7)
- Cons. Semi – Ryan Dunne (Star Valley) 35-15 won by decision over Hazen Camino (Buffalo) 22-12 (Dec 6-4)
- 3rd Place Match – Morgan Hatch (Lyman) 44-6 won by fall over Ryan Dunne (Star Valley) 35-15 (Fall 1:21)
3A-170
Joseph Thompson (30-14) place is unknown and scored 3.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Stetson Davis (Powell) 33-13 won by fall over Joseph Thompson (Star Valley) 30-14 (Fall 3:26)
- Cons. Round 1 – Joseph Thompson (Star Valley) 30-14 won by fall over Benjamin Camino (Buffalo) 18-17 (Fall 2:46)
- Cons. Round 2 – Ty Harris (Worland) 15-14 won by fall over Joseph Thompson (Star Valley) 30-14 (Fall 1:39)
3A-182
Zachary Patterson (45-1) placed 2nd and scored 24.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Zachary Patterson (Star Valley) 45-1 won by fall over Kaden Rowan (Lander Valley) 6-18 (Fall 0:44)
- Quarterfinal – Zachary Patterson (Star Valley) 45-1 won by fall over Ethene Burns (Worland) 24-10 (Fall 1:09)
- Semifinal – Zachary Patterson (Star Valley) 45-1 won by fall over Brandon Beck (Star Valley) 28-6 (Fall 3:44)
- 1st Place Match – Grayson Beaudrie (Cody) 38-7 won by injury default over Zachary Patterson (Star Valley) 45-1 (Inj. 4:09)
3A-182
Brandon Beck (28-6) placed 3rd.
- Champ. Round 1 – Brandon Beck (Star Valley) 28-6 won by fall over Logan Barton (Cody) 1-4 (Fall 0:38)
- Quarterfinal – Brandon Beck (Star Valley) 28-6 won by decision over Kenai Bergquist (Douglas) 24-8 (Dec 4-3)
- Semifinal – Zachary Patterson (Star Valley) 45-1 won by fall over Brandon Beck (Star Valley) 28-6 (Fall 3:44)
- Cons. Semi – Brandon Beck (Star Valley) 28-6 won by fall over Karson Lamb (Powell) 16-21 (Fall 4:27)
- 3rd Place Match – Brandon Beck (Star Valley) 28-6 won by fall over Kael Matthews (Douglas) 31-9 (Fall 1:39)
3A-195
Harrison Hoopes (42-0) placed 1st and scored 26.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Harrison Hoopes (Star Valley) 42-0 won by fall over Lyric Gordan (Riverton) 18-16 (Fall 1:47)
- Quarterfinal – Harrison Hoopes (Star Valley) 42-0 won by fall over Grant Igo (Douglas) 5-14 (Fall 0:35)
- Semifinal – Harrison Hoopes (Star Valley) 42-0 won by decision over Jimmy Dees (Powell) 34-17 (Dec 6-1)
- 1st Place Match – Harrison Hoopes (Star Valley) 42-0 won by decision over Jace Grant (Cody) 27-12 (Dec 10-6)
3A-195
Weslee Turner (18-9) place is unknown.
- Champ. Round 1 – Ralph Moreno (Worland) 16-15 won by fall over Weslee Turner (Star Valley) 18-9 (Fall 1:49)
- Cons. Round 1 – Weslee Turner (Star Valley) 18-9 received a bye () (Bye)
- Cons. Round 2 – TK Stinson (Douglas) 30-15 won by fall over Weslee Turner (Star Valley) 18-9 (Fall 2:28)
3A-220
Joseph Warren (9-11) place is unknown.
- Champ. Round 1 – Garrett Parker (Rawlins) 24-9 won by fall over Joseph Warren (Star Valley) 9-11 (Fall 5:30)
- Cons. Round 1 – Joseph Warren (Star Valley) 9-11 won by fall over Ian Cantu (Pinedale) 16-24 (Fall 2:25)
- Cons. Round 2 – Deylin Miller (Green River) 28-15 won by fall over Joseph Warren (Star Valley) 9-11 (Fall 3:46)
3A-220
Aiden Crook (18-19) place is unknown and scored 4.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Aiden Crook (Star Valley) 18-19 won by fall over Doug Bettger (Powell) 12-11 (Fall 2:59)
- Quarterfinal – Josh Womack (Newcastle/Upton) 43-3 won by fall over Aiden Crook (Star Valley) 18-19 (Fall 0:37)
- Cons. Round 2 – Cale Haws (Burns/Pine Bluffs) 30-20 won by decision over Aiden Crook (Star Valley) 18-19 (Dec 4-0)
3A-285
Kysen Hebdon (34-10) placed 4th and scored 18.0 team points.
- Champ. Round 1 – Kysen Hebdon (Star Valley) 34-10 won by fall over Doug Dexter (Pinedale) 1-4 (Fall 1:21)
- Quarterfinal – Kysen Hebdon (Star Valley) 34-10 won by fall over Adam Flores (Powell) 19-19 (Fall 3:58)
- Semifinal – Kyle Logar (Douglas) 33-6 won by fall over Kysen Hebdon (Star Valley) 34-10 (Fall 2:42)
- Cons. Semi – Kysen Hebdon (Star Valley) 34-10 won by fall over Kolby Parker (Douglas) 28-12 (Fall 1:51)
- 3rd Place Match – Ernesto Cabriales (Lander Valley) 17-8 won by fall over Kysen Hebdon (Star Valley) 34-10 (Fall 2:00)
3A-285
Carter White (5-9) place is unknown.
- Champ. Round 1 – Zach Barton (Cody) 3-11 won by fall over Carter White (Star Valley) 5-9 (Fall 0:50)
- Cons. Round 1 – Carter White (Star Valley) 5-9 won by fall over Coby Jones (Mountain View) 6-24 (Fall 0:51)
- Cons. Round 2 – Noa Vega (Worland) 14-14 won by fall over Carter White (Star Valley) 5-9 (Fall 2:41)
