#10life is County 10 series to share and celebrate everything that’s great about local life in Fremont County, brought to you by RE/MAX All-Star, Realtors.
Nearly 900 wrestlers converge on Riverton this Friday and Saturday. Multiply that number by two, or three or four, times to consider those wrestlers parents, coaches, officials, staff members, students, scouts, and wrestling fans.
The gist: There’s going to be a lot of extra folks, and buses, around this weekend.
The annual Ron Thon Memorial Tournament has long been dubbed, “the toughest tournament in the state.” Instead of competing against just your class, like at the state tournament, you’re competing against all classes in Wyoming high school wrestling. For some, getting to the championship round, means beating 2 or 3 first place competitors.
There’s no doubt that all of the individual champions, and the overall team champion, will have earned it… and then some.
The tournament is named for Riverton wrestling coach and teacher, Ron Thon. Thon passed away in 1999 after a three year battle with cancer. He was 53. Thon was a wrestling coach for both Wind River High School and Riverton High School. He received a distinguished service award by the Wyoming Coaches Association in 1997.
Last season, Casper’s Kelly Walsh Trojans won the event, Green River took second, and Thunder Basin won bronze. Riverton finished 21st and Lander placed 30th. Both RHS and LVHS hope to improve from that spot this season.
Action begins from Riverton High School and Riverton Middle School on multiple mats Friday morning and continues through Saturday evening.
Result information should be available through TrackWrestling.com, throughout the weekend.