By Josh Hall

Herald Sports Editor

LYMAN – Dryden Menck is not used to losing. It is something that hasn’t happened much since the Lyman senior took up wrestling his sophomore year in 2016.

His first year competing in the sport, Menck won the Class 2A state title at 195 pounds. The Following year, Lyman moved to Class 3A. The change is classification didn’t affect Menck. He repeated as state champion at 195 pounds in 2017.

But for the first time this season, Menck (26-1) lost his first match on Saturday against Tyce Raddon (31-0) of Beaver (Utah) at the Rockwell Rumble, one of the largest tournaments in Utah.

When it comes time for postseason wrestling, the loss might give the two-time defending state champion the upper hand.

“I learned a lot from that loss. I’ve got to get in better shape,” Menck said. “I’ve been working harder, tuning up on some things and just trying to be the best.”

Menck was one of seven wrestlers to earn wins for the Eagles in their 42-24 victory against Big Piney on Tuesday.

William Crook (113), Braxton Sabley (120), Colten Ellison (138), Brendan Martin (145), Colton VanGieson (160), Zane Case (170) and Menck (195) were all victorious for the Eagles.

“I thought we moved a lot better than we have been,” Lyman coach Travis Ayres said. “In some recent matches, it just seems like we were stuck to the mat. We had better motion tonight, better chain wrestling and better results.”

Getting past Big Piney was not an easy task.

The Punchers are ranked fifth in Class 2A and have eight wrestlers ranked in the state.

“We did a lot better than we did last weekend when we were at Cokeville,” Lyman senior Colten Ellison said. “We’ve been having harder practices to get in better shape.”

While Menck is ranked first in Class 3A at 195, Ellison is comes in at fourth at 138 pounds.

But rankings don’t mean much to Ellison. His focus is on the future.

“Regionals is going to be a good time,” he said. “It’s at home and we have a lot to prove.”

The Eagles hope to be fully healthy when that happens.

Sophomore Hagen Lamoreaux has missed most of the season with an ankle injury. Ayres his hopeful to get him back before regionals start the first week of March. Heavyweight Roy Collins has also been sidelined by a knee injury. The senior will be evaluated week-by-week on when he can return.

“Once we get them back, I think we can make a good push for state,” Ayres said. “I think we have some guys that are heading in the right direction.”

Menck believes the Eagles can build from Tuesday’s win. He thinks the best is yet to come from Lyman wrestling.

“It’s a good motivational builder for the team,” he said. “We think we can surprise some people at state and maybe get up there in the top five, at least. We’re improving every week. We’re going to keep surprising people and keep getting better as the days go on.”

FINAL SCORE

Lyman 42, Big Piney 24

INDIVIDUAL VARSITY RESULTS

106: Arie Krandendonk (Big Piney) won by fall against Nick Cook (Lyman).

113: Willam Crook (Lyman) won by decision against Braxton Smith (Big Piney)

120: Braxton Sabey (Lyman) won by fall against Braxton Varela (Big Piney)

126: Creeden Schell (Big Piney) won by fall against Richie Brewer (Lyman)

138: Colten Ellison (Lyman) won by fall against Hayden Bruce (Big Piney)

145: Brendan Martin (Lyman) won by fall against Ethan Long (Big Piney)

152: Adam Willoughby (Big Piney) won by fall against Brandon Hicks (Lyman)

160: Colton VanGieson (Lyman) won by decision against Tyler Long (Big Piney)

170: Zane Case (Lyman) won by fall against Skyler Hargrove (Big Piney)

182: Justin Seemann (Big Piney) won by fall against AJ Richardson (Lyman)

195: Dryden Menck (Lyman) won by fall against TJ Frazier (Big Piney)