News – Sheridan Media
The Sheridan Broncs are the defending 4A state champs and having the bulls-eye on their back isn’t something they’re used to, seeing how last season was only the second time that they won the state title, but the team is not complaining.
Head Coach Tyson Shatto says if anything, having that bull-eye has drawn some interest.
“There’s a lot of excitement created off of last year’s team which is good. Our pre-season numbers are up and I think that’s a reflection of that success we had last year, so I think a lot of kids are excited, want to come out and try wrestling maybe for the first time, or they’re coming back to the sport that maybe they stepped away from previously.”
This will be the second year for girls wrestling in the state.
Last year the Sheridan Lady Broncs took 9 wrestlers to the state meet and came back with the 3rd place trophy along with 1 state champ.
Coach Marci Lane says last year was a bit of a feel out year, for all girls wrestlers in the state.
This year is more about each wrestler learning about what their potential could be.
“I think we have more individual goals for these girls this year. Some of them didn’t know what to expect last year and now they kind of know what they’re capable of so we’ll start goal setting where we really sit down and look at individuals and what we think that they’re capable of now, where last year we just didn’t know.”
Junior Becca Oetken won the 235 pound weight class state championship, even though she was way less than that weight and competed at the 190 pound weight class, before she decided to move up late last season.
She says last year was the honeymoon year for the sport, and for those who competed last year, the level of competition state-wide is about to pick up…ready or not!
“I think a lot of girls have just really found a passion for wrestling since last year, so they’ve been training over the summer and preparing for this season, so I think girls are going to be stronger than they were last year and they’re going to know more technique.”
Sheridan starts the season with a home dual meet vs. Worland on Thursday, December 7th beginning at 5pm.
Afterwards, the JV team will take on the Tongue River varsity.
More Like this
Last modified: December 2, 2023