Rachel Vliem, Staff Writer

Add 2010 to the Wrestling State Champions banner in the gym; they’ve done it again.

The Campbell County High School wrestling team earned their eighth consecutive title in February, which is the most the state of Wyoming has ever seen. “Eight times feels great,” said junior Kody Brown. “We really proved everyone wrong this year.” Brown wrestled on JV at 171-pounds and took fifth at state this year. “I wrestled well, but I know I could have done better.”

Senior Aaron McGee felt that the team did great. “We met the goal of state championships. We were nervous about the teams we hadn’t seen, so we really didn’t know what to expect.”

“We weren’t even supposed to compete at state a few weeks ago because of our weak performance at Ron Thon,” explained junior James Boylan. “We did really good. We came within twelve points of the record.” Boylan earned himself second place at 285-pounds.

With ten wrestlers making it to the final match, the Camels felt pretty confident. “It was incredible getting ten guys to the finals,” said junior Tyler Pownall. “The win was very exciting.” Four out of the ten won the final match, earning each of them first place and sixteen additional points for the team score. The first place finishers were freshmen Dani Fischer and Lucas Poloncic, sophomore Taylor Bear, and senior Alex Coolidge.

“We did awesome! This would have been the year to beat us,” sophomore Trevor O’Dowd added. “Next year we will be even stronger and harder to beat.” O’Dowd wrestled at 152-pounds, but was disappointed when he got fifth place.

Coolidge plans on wrestling at Cornell next year. “As soon as the season got over for us, I never stopped wrestling. I practice for about two hours every day.”

Coolidge went to the national tournament at Virginia Beach along with the other state champions. He won four and lost two, getting beat out one round before placing.

Bear was awarded an All-American title with his performance at nationals. He earned eighth place at 112-pounds, losing to a wrestler from New York.

Fischer earned himself fifth place and an All-American title at 119-pounds.

Angela Hays, Staff Writer

Basketball, football and volleyball are often the talk of Campbell County High School. There are, however, a few outstanding individuals who have gone far in sports less known.

CCHS fans typically do not show up to alternative sporting events in the numbers that appear at basketball or football games. “I go to hockey and baseball games,” said senior Bailey Aaberg. “I usually just go to socialize unless I know someone playing.” Many athletes go under the radar, unlike school-functioned sports. “Typically at the Camel games, I cheer more,” she explained.

Senior Shad Green is a disc golf hero, taking part in the sport for his fifth year. “I kind of fell into in,” Green explained. “My brothers took me to the Cam-plex for league and I liked it right away.” Green has travelled to Missouri, Michigan, Colorado and South Dakota for the sport.

“My favorite part of disc golf is traveling places to compete in tournaments and play the different courses.” Green has won an array of prizes including nearly two hundred discs, shirts, and a banana board, which he sold for one hundred dollars. Green plans on continuing disc golf after he graduates this year.

Junior Kayla Corcoran is another alternative sport hero, a participant of sled dog racing for ten years. “When I was young, my dad raced them and he decided to get my own team together,” she said. “My favorite part of the sport is being able to work with animals and going places most people wouldn’t get to see.” With sports comes memories, “In Ashton, Idaho I took first place out of 23 and there were people I looked up to cheering me on,” said Corcoran. For this sport, she has travelled to many locations in Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and Utah. She has won nearly $1500 from racing her dogs.

Hockey is another sport that can easily be left out of the limelight. A long time member of the sport is sophomore Austin Tennant. He has been playing for nine years. “My neighbor played hockey and got me into it,” Tennant explained. “My favorite part of hockey is being able to spend more time with friends and teammates and accomplish things many people don’t get to.” Tennant’s favorite memory regarding hockey is going to the national tournament in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has travelled many other places for the sport, too, including Germany, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. “The state tournament this year and last year meant a lot to me. We took first place both years.”

There are many more alternative sports heroes walking the halls of CCHS every day. Be sure to cheer them and their teams on just as you would cheer on any Camel.

Nate Schelling, Staff Writer

The 4A State basketball brackets were set after the regional tournaments and started Thursday, March 11 in Casper, Wyoming at Casper College.

            The Camel boys went into the State tournament with a #1 seed after winning regionals in Laramie and started off the state tournament against Star Valley Thursday afternoon.

            The Camel boys struggled against Star Valley but came on top with a win 56 to 47. 

            In the semi final game on Friday night, the Gillette Camels had another tough game against Evanston but pulled away in the end to win 64 to 51.

            Saturday night, the Gillette Camels took on the hometown Natrona Mustangs and struggled throughout the game but kept it close. Natrona played better than the Camels and came on top with a State Championship for the second year in a row. The loss to the Camels gave them their first loss of the 2009-2010 season. Senior Matt Mordecai said, “The season would have been better if we didn’t get up by Natrona in the Championship game.”

“ I wish we would have won state.” said senior Kameron Hunter. “Everything else about the season was good.”

Senior Cammryn Nelson agreed, “I really just wish we would have won state.”

            The Gillette Camels had a lot of talent on the team this season and three players were honored for All Conference and two for All State. Earning all conference, seniors Alan Sisel and Matt Mordecai. Junior Taran Brown was also honored All Conference. Mordecai and Brown also earned with All State titles.

“It was cool to make All Conference and All State as a junior,” said Brown “I hope to get the same next year as well.”

 Mordecai also said “ Well, I’d have to say it’s pretty cool, I guess. Congrats to me, I suppose.”

            As for next year, the Camels have four returning varsity players: Taran Brown, Taylor Holst, Evan Lopez, and Will Lopez. The last two years, the juniors have been undefeated on the sophomore and junior varsity teams. Next year is looking to be another great season.

Julionna Skinner, Staff Writer

In March, the Lady Camel basketball players wrapped up their season at the state tournament in Casper, with a 3^rd place victory, defeating Sheridan 63-50. “The year went pretty well and we finished it off solid,” senior Hannah Early said.

Photography teacher Paul Waldum added, “I’ve watched many of these girls since they were little and I enjoy complimenting them throughout the week in class.”

            The girls went 19-10 overall and 5-5 in Conference. Head coach Mitch Holst said, “This year’s conference was as competitive as it has ever been.”

            Senior Mo Bunney and junior Jordan Kelley were awarded All-Conference. Kelley was also awarded All-State, along with, Gatorade Player of the Year and 4A Player of the Year. She led the team in scoring, assists, free throws and steals. “This was a major rebuilding year since we lost seven seniors, but we improved as the year went on,” Kelley said. “We had a lot of support from our community and made the best of everything.”

            The Camels were able to grab a 1^st place trophy in the Camel Tournament and 3^rd place in the Energy Classic, both of which were held in Gillette. “We started the year off awesome, had a bad stretch, and then finished off on a good note,” Holst said.

            Many of the girls are looking forward to next year. Sophomore Dacia Lyman said, “I’m really excited; open gym starts soon.”

            Kelley added, “We will be strong and ready for a challenge.”

Angela Hays, Staff Writer

Indoor track ended with a bang in late February after the 2010 state finals in Laramie. Athletes lined up to run, jump, throw, vault and hurdle their way to the top. The Camel boys took second this year. “The boys competition was supposed to be close, but Sheridan didn’t have much go wrong and came out on top,” said head coach Mark Kelting. A standout athlete was senior Steven Turpin who stole two silver medals.

The lady Camels also took second place, surprising many. “I thought our girls did really well,” continued Kelting. “They far exceeded what we thought they’d get for points.” The girls fell short to Cheyenne Central High School. A standout female athlete was junior Paula Andrie, who took home the gold in four events.

            “My favorite part about state track was seeing all the competition at one meet,” senior Kim Eichenberger stated. “Our 400-meter relay was amazing. We were thrilled to beat our school record by seven seconds and take third place.” The boys’ 800-meter relay also felt victory, taking home the gold.

            “My favorite part of state was my personal record and bonding with friends,” junior Chandler McGovern said. “I think it’s a tremendous accomplishment for the girls to get second.”

            “I got seventh in triple jump; it was a personal record,” sophomore Maddy Morgan said. “The best part of state was hanging in the stands and watching fellow teammates. I’m looking to get in shape for outdoor and get better for next year.”

            So where does that leave the future for indoor track? “I think the new Rec Center will attract more athletes and improve our overall times,” Kelting explained. The indoor season ended with celebration, which will hopefully lead to a successful outdoor season as well.