Donny Proffit earned first place in his weight class at the Tournament of Champions in Vernal, Utah, on Jan. 14. The Rangers did well at the tournament, beating several big schools. (COURTESY PHOTO / Dave Julian)

The Kemmerer Rangers wrestling team had a busy weekend. On Thursday, Jan. 11, the Rangers hosted a dual meet against the Mountain View Buffalos.

The wrestlers were cheered on at home by a large crowd of Ranger fans. Donny Proffit, Lowell Ellis, Kylee Smith, Carson Carlson and Hayden Walker all won their matches at the dual meet against the Buffs.

Lowell Ellis (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)

On Friday, Jan. 13, and Saturday, Jan. 14, the Rangers competed in the Tournament of Champions in Vernal, Utah.

The Rangers represented themselves and their school extremely well at the large tournament. Kemmerer had seven wrestlers in the varsity tournament, and four of those wrestlers placed.

Junior Donny Proffit continued to dominate his weight class at the tournament. Proffit placed first in the 132 class, beating Uintah’s August Harrison. 

Junior Hayden Walker showed that missing the first couple of meets because of a football injury hadn’t slowed him down at all. Walker earned third place in the 170 class, beating Moffat County’s Mikinzie Klimper.

Hayden Walker (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)

Carson Carlson placed 6th in the 126 class, and Colter Julian also earned a 6th place in the 120 class. 

Lowell Ellis and Jeydon Boyd were just barely short of placing at the tournament, but won some extremely hard-fought matches.

Josh Thatcher was beat out of the varsity tournament on Friday, but entered in Saturday’s second chance tournament and won second in his weight class. Brendan Miller, Hayden Julander, and Kylee Smith all wrestled well in the J.V. tournament.

This was an outstanding performance from the whole team. The Rangers finished 15th out of 28 teams, many of whom came from much bigger schools with far more wrestlers competing in the matches.

The Rangers continue to be ranked well in the lastest 2A wrestling rankings from Wyo-Wrestling.

Sophomore Dawson Schramm is ranked first in the 120 class. Junior Donny Proffit is ranked first in the 138 class. Hayden Walker is ranked first in the 170 weight class.

Colter Julian (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)

Colter Julian and Carson Carlson are each ranked fourth in their respective classes. Lowell Ellis (152)  is ranked sixth, and Hayden Julander (160) is ranked seventh.

On Friday, Jan. 19, the wrestlers head to the Lander Invitational.

On Friday, Jan. 26, the Ranger wrestlers will compete at the Ron Thon tournament at Riverton High School.

We think Ranger fans will agree that our little team of overachievers is extremely fun to watch — and it’s never too early to plan for the future of Kemmerer Ranger wrestling.

Kemmerer’s little league wrestling season has started. Any young potential wrestlers are encouraged to come to the high school wrestling room at 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday to enroll for this season.

Kylee Smith (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)

Carson Carlson and coach Darrell Bullington (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)

Young Ranger fans watch the wrestling team compete (GAZETTE PHOTO / Theresa Davis)