By Don Cogger

Gazette Sports Editor

On a day Ranger and Lady Ranger grapplers honored their seniors, the Kemmerer High School wrestling team went 2-0 at the Kemmerer Double Duals Thursday, Feb. 13, with wins over Big Piney and Lyman.

A local legend within the Wyoming wrestling community was also honored, as longtime coach and Diamondville Wrestling Club founder John Rosas was recognized for his tireless contributions to Diamondville and Kemmerer wrestling for nearly five decades.

Three Rangers — Roany Proffit (138), Noah Parks (150) and Owen Barton (190) — finished the day 2-0 in their respective weight classes.

The Rangers and Lady Rangers took the time to honor their seniors for their exceptional contributions to the program over the years. Rangers Proffit, Barton, Graison Kelley, Braxton Pope, Bridger Anderson and Austin Ruvalcaba, as well as Lady Rangers Laynee Walker, Kylee Batista and team manager Grace Tharp were all recognized for their hard work and dedication to their respective programs.

Rangers 51, Big Piney 15

The Rangers opened the double duals Thursday with a 51-15 win over Big Piney, with pins by Roany Proffit (138 pounds), Logan Julander (157 pounds), Braxton Pope (175 pounds), Owen Barton (190 pounds), Abel Jimenez (113 pounds) and Mienn Skinner (138 pounds).

Noah Parks won a 7-3 decision over Caden Clifford at 150 pounds. Graison Kelley (165 pounds) and Ricky Schneider (106 pounds) won their matches by forfeit.

Rangers 45, Lyman 23

A 45-23 win over Lyman in the second dual of the day was highlighted by Michael Symons’ pin of Jaxon Tillotson in the final 20 seconds of the third round at 144, Owen Barton’s pin of Boston Busskohl at 190 and Noah Parks’ pin of Cash Platts at 150.

Roany Proffit won by technical fall over Jasper Allen at 138 pounds, as did Austin Ruvalcaba over Braxton Hinton at 126 pounds, and Bridger Anderson over Marshall Hatch at 175 pounds.

Dominic Pope pinned Mateo Garcia at 165 pounds. Graison Kelley (165 pounds) and Abel Jimenez (113 pounds) won matches by forfeit.

Honoring a legend

Longtime Diamondville Wrestling Club and Kemmerer High School wrestling coach John Rosas was given special recognition during Thursday’s festivities, with a touching tribute written by Matt Kelley — father of KHS wrestlers Graison and Ellasyn Kelley — and read by Dee Sargent.

After graduating from KHS in 1971, Rosas wrestled collegiately at Central Arizona, before returning to Diamondville/Kemmerer in 1976 with his wife Kathleen. Upon his return, Rosas began helping out with the Kemmerer Wrestling Club, with coaches Jim Rooks and his brother, Ruben.

Rosas chartered the Diamondville Wrestling Club in 1985, and ran it — with the help of others — until 1997; he also coached at KHS from 1990-99. During his coaching career, Rosas produced a number of state champions at the high school and club level — including sons Mike and Johnathan — as well as several wrestlers who went on to compete at the D1 level in college, and some who became WAC champions, Western Regional Champions and Academic All-Americans.

“Coach Rosas’ commitment and dedication to wrestling in Kemmerer is second to none,” Kelley’s tribute read. “To this day, he would do anything in his power to ensure that the Diamondville Wrestling Club and KHS wrestlers have every tool at their disposal to succeed…While John has long since hung up his whistle, the strength and respect that Diamondville/Kemmerer wrestling programs have across the state started with him. The foundation of KHS wrestling is the strength of our Diamondville Wrestling Club, and it was because of John’s love of wrestling and the youth of Kemmerer that the Diamondville Wrestling Club excels today.”