Mountain View’s Menck wins regional championship

At the top – Mountain View’s Drake Menck, right, claims the top rung after being earning the 3A West Regional Championship in his division. Menck wrestled as a 182 pounder. COURTEY PHOTO

By Ben Carr

MVHS Principal

MOUNTAIN VIEW – Saturday afternoon at the WHSAA 3A West Regional wrestling championships in Rees Fieldhouse at MVHS, Mountain View senior Drake Menck was the only valley wrestler to capture a regional championship.

Going into the tournament as the number one seed at 182 pounds with a varsity season record of 39 – 4, Menck pinned Lander’s Jason Hanson :32 seconds into the second round with a head and arm throw.

In the tournament, Menck had a first round bye, followed by a first round pin of Brannen Hedden of Lander. Chris Erickson of Star Valley, the eventual third place winner, injury defaulted to Menck in the semi-final round without stepping onto the mat.

Second place finisher, Hanson, himself a senior had a record of 39 – 14. Hanson was the number two seed in the tournament. Hanson decisioned Griffin Lusty of Star Valley, and pinned Spencer Shultz of Powell on his way to the finals.

Menck has a four-year career record at MVHS of 146 – 29, and finished last year second at the state tournament. Menck enters the state tournament as a number one seed with a varsity season record of 42 – 4.

Other Valley Tournament Notes:

• 106 pounds, Brodie Douglass, Lyman, freshman, third place.

• 152 pounds, Talon Cook, Lyman, junior, fourth place.

• 285 pounds, Jerico Birch, Lyman, senior, fourth place.

Regional wrestling team scores –

1. Star Valley – 265

2. Powell – 258

3. Lander – 149

4. Cody – 145

5. Jackson – 85

6. Lyman – 76.5

7. Mountain View – 44

8. Pinedale – 32



For the complete article see the 02-22-2013 issue.

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