The international tournament is considered “A True Tournament of Champions where a showcase of elite North American teams compete for the coveted Silver Stick” – a sterling silver pin from the organization is the only youth hockey tournament recognized by the Canada Hockey Hall of Fame, according to its website.
The Big Piney Puncher wrestling teams made huge strides in the Marsh Valley Invitational this week, in preseason competition against 26 other boys’ varsity, junior varsity and girls’ teams.
Winter sports schedules for BPHS and PHS.
Hamby is a prep standout four-sport varsity letterman at PHS. He lettered for the Pinedale Wranglers’ golf team all four years of high school, received All-Conference honors for the previous three seasons, helped his team win third at the 3A West Conference this season and was also awarded All-State honors during the 2023 campaign. Hamby took fifth place at the 3A State Tournament with scores of 73 and 75.
Congratulations to these stand-out student athletes!
War Memorial Stadium wasn’t filled with 26,000 screaming fans on that cold afternoon in Laramie, but the small towns of Big Piney, Marbleton and LaBarge, showed up for their kids, traveling 624 miles roundtrip to bring enough noise and energy to the stands to convince any listener that the game was held on the Punchers’ home turf. “I’ve always believed a football team could bring an energy and a togetherness to a community and that was on full display at the War,” Moffat said late Monday night. “Our side was packed with young elementary kids, former players and alumni, some lifelong Big Piney community members and so many families who made the trip to support this football team.”
Six talented athletes from Sublette County received 2023 All-Conference volleyball honors.
“I’m beyond proud that these ladies fought so hard to get to State,” said Head Coach Kinsy Voss. “We are a young team and to get that exposure for them at State will benefit us greatly next year.”
The Sublette County combined girls’ swim team’s relatively young squad qualified four athletes this season – juniors Jolynn Jones, Alexis Thompson and Emma York and sophomore Shelby Scott. Senior Addysen Levitt traveled to State to fill out relay teams for Sublette County.
“Like a quarterback, the setter runs the offense,” Davis explained. “I touch the ball nearly every point. I have to read the blockers on the other team and where they’re playing defense to determine where to set the ball so a teammate can successfully get a kill.”
The Pinedale Glaciers’ 19U girls’ team topped off week two of its season with two victories against Casper-Douglas on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 4-5.
“It was such a memorable day in Lingle that will always be a part of this team’s legacy,” said Head Coach Jeromy Moffat. “Our kids played well, our coaching staff knew the game plan. The kids came out with an unbelievable amount of intensity, maturity and execution both offensively and defensively. It is a privilege and honor to lead them to Laramie to play at War Memorial Stadium one last time as a team for the State Championship.”
The fate of the remainder of each team’s season hung in the balance, with the winner advancing to the State Tournament in Casper and the loser heading home.
Digging deep, the Lady Wranglers rallied to rout Thermopolis, 3-0, in the consolation bracket.
The Sublette County combined girls’ swim team doubled the number of athletes punching their tickets to the 2023 3A State Swimming and Diving Championships in Gillette at the Last Chance Meet in Pinedale on Thursday, Oct. 26.
“Last year, Pine Bluffs really beat on us – they disrespected us,” said senior Reuben Stoutenburg. “We marked this game on our calendar all year. We wanted to take them down all year and we got them and beat them.”
“I was really happy,” Antonino said. “My race plan went perfectly. I worked really hard for this all season. It felt good to get it over with – I was stressing out about it for a little bit.”
Pinedale rounded out its regular season on the road against 3A East rival Rawlins on Saturday, Oct. 28. The Lady Wranglers crushed the Lady Outlaws in a clean sweep, 3-0.
“The Farson game was another fun and great win for us,” said Head Coach Kinsy Voss. “I’m really proud of Lady Red for getting after it and not losing focus after the first set. We are starting to see our offense come together nicely. It was also a great win to head into Regionals with. We will be preparing this week for the game against Shoshoni on Friday.”
Members of the PHS cheer team wait to present the colors to honor all active duty servicemen and women, veterans and seniors going into the armed forces before the football game between the Pinedale Wranglers and Rich County on Friday, Oct. 20.