he Kemmerer Ranger wrestling team, coaches and managers are awarded fourth place at the 2A state wrestling championships in Casper on Saturday, Feb. 24, in the Casper Events Center. (COURTESY PHOTO / Dave Julian) 

The Kemmerer Ranger wrestling team concluded an impressive season at the 2A state wrestling championships in Casper on Saturday, Feb. 24, with a fourth place finish.

Moorcroft took 1st with 273 points, Glenrock was second with 193.5 points, Cokeville claimed third with 169 points, and Kemmerer was right behind Cokeville with 168 points.

This team of wrestlers did all they could and they wrestled an outstanding tournament with great grit and determination. We watched wrestlers rise up after suffering injuries — two shoulders and two knees — and continue to compete and win.

Kemmerer had four wrestlers in the championships.

Donny Proffit pins Moorcroft wrestler Parker Seeley in the 138-pound championship match at the 2A state wrestling championships in Casper on Saturday, Feb. 24. (COURTESY PHOTO / Dave Julian)

Dawson Schramm (120) won a great championship match. Donny Proffit (138) won all his matches this year to earn first place at state. Hayden Walker (170) pinned his way through his weight class for a first-place finish.

But the most hard-fought match of the tournament was Carson Carlson (132) and Cokeville wrestler Locklyn Teichert’s quadruple overtime match. Carson came in second, but the team appreciated his incredible effort during the match and the entire season.

Junior Hayden Walker celebrates after winning the 2A state 170-pound championship for the second year in a row. (COURTESY PHOTO / Dave Julian)

Josh Thatcher won an overtime match to bring home a third-place finish — another outstanding performance. Colter Julian also won a great third place match; he had a great weekend. Lowell Ellis had a great run, ending with a 6th place finish. Kylee Smith, Jeydon Boyd and Hayden Julander all contributed team points that were much needed. Brendan Miller and Cayson Smith both had great tournaments and almost placed; they both look to get better for next season.

This team of athletes put it all on the line every time they stepped on the mat. The coaches did a great job and had this bunch well prepared.

This entire team made themselves, their school and this whole community proud.This team only loses one senior, but the call for more wrestlers is out. With a few more competitors to fill out the weight classes, the Rangers could make a run at a state championship next season.

This bunch is not resting — some of the wrestlers are headed to high school nationals, Reno worlds and the All-Star duals in Pocatello.

Brendan Miller prepares for a wrestling match for the Rangers at the state tournament. (COURTESY PHOTO / Dave Julian)

Kemmerer Ranger sophomore wrestler Dawson Schramm is crowned the 120-pound champion at the 2A state wrestling tournament in Casper last weekend. (COURTESY PHOTO / Dave Julian)

Lowell Ellis takes sixth place in the 152-pound division for the Rangers at the 2A state meet. (COURTESY PHOTO / Dave Julian) 

(COURTESY PHOTO / Dave Julian)

Kemmerer wrestling coach Darrell Bullington celebrates with state champions Donny Proffit, Dawson Schramm, Hayden Walker and coach Cody Hartung. Schramm and Walker were champions for the second year running, and Proffit earned the 138-pound state title for the third year in a row. (COURTESY PHOTO / Dave Julian)

Lusk's William Fish is pushed to the floor while in a full body hold by Kemmerer's Dawson Schramm during the 120-pound state championship. (COURTESY PHOTO / Joshua Galemore, Casper Star-Tribune)