GLENROCK – Friday morning, Niobrara County High School opened the 2021 portion of their wrestling schedule with a triangular at Glenrock that also included Tongue River. It was the third time the Tigers have met the Herders, yet the first time they have seen the Eagles.

Facing the home team first, NCHS didn’t have anyone at 160 pounds, but James Cushman evened the score at six with a pin.

Miles Ashurst was pinned, and the Herders took an 18-6 lead with an opening at 195 pounds. Jasper Caldera pinned his opponent at 220 pounds, and both squads were open at 285 and 106 pounds.

Gabe Matthews (113), David West (120), Colton Coffman (126) and Christopher Hicks (132) all pinned their opponents, giving NCHS a 36-18 advantage.

Sean Johnson, at 138 pounds, was defeated, and the Herders took a forfeit in the 145-pound division before Donovan Kruse sealed the 42-30 win with his 152 pound victory.

In a non-scoring match Stanton Ricketts pinned his opponent.

Cushman got things started against Tongue River with a pin, but Ashurst’s loss tied it at six.

Caldera had another first period pin that was in between open classes at 195 and 285 pounds. The Eagles took a forfeit at 106 pounds, but Matthews earned a 4-1 decision for the 15-12 Tiger lead.

West and Hicks were both pinned but Coffman’s open weight and Johnson’s win gave Lusk a slim 27-24 advantage. From there Tongue River won the final three matches with openings at 145 and 160 pounds, while Kruse was pinned for the 42-27 final score.

Ricketts ended his day with a non-scoring pin for the Tigers.

Next week the Tiger grapplers travel to Newcastle on Friday and Torrington on Saturday for their first two-day weekend of the season.