Moorcroft wrestlers host awards picnic

After months of quarantine and social distancing, the Moorcroft High School wrestling team was able to honor their best players and say farewell to their graduated seniors Thursday evening with a picnic at Robinson Park followed by an awards ceremony.

Around 70 guests attended the event, many bringing homemade sides to accompany the hamburgers and hotdogs donated by the school sports program. Even the light rain that fell during dinner could not daunt the spirits of these families and friends who had finally managed to come together for this ceremony.

After everyone had their fill and dusk began to shade the sky, the coaches gathered the teams, underclassmen and high school, for awards and, for four graduated seniors, goodbye.

After handing out certificates for the younger team members who are just beginning to make names for themselves, junior high coach TJ Barnett gave the floor to MHS head coach Charlie Williams. Williams, who won the Coach of the Year again this season, briefly shared the reason each recipient was recognized for their efforts.

“The thing that stands out to me the most and I’ll never forget is that second day at the state tournament; it really summarized what this team of kids have for character. We didn’t have the greatest day the first day and the second day, match after match, so many matches in a row, having all those kids wrestle back from third,” he said.

“That shows character. That goes down to me, personally, as the best day we’ve ever had in the state tournament.”

He made special note of the numerous records broken this wrestling season: “Up and down our record books, records were actually shattered due to the strength of our senior class.”

Departing wrestlers Mica Herrera, Parker Schlater, Parker Seeley, Wyatt Peters, Rowdy Pfeil were each given opportunity to speak of their experience and the life principles they had learned from their time as MHS wrestlers. The following comments are excerpts from those responses.

Pfeil: “I take a lot of pride in being in MHS, I love our wrestling team, our culture and the attitude we have. It’s been super fun.” He advised the young ones coming to the game, “Find your purpose in the wrestling room.”

Peters: “Early in the year, I decided to join the Marine Corp and the reason I joined the Marine Corp specifically is because they work the hardest. That was actually really important and I think the reason is because in wrestling, we were always pushed incredibly hard. That really helped me in life, showing me that hard work is the way to go.” His advice was succinct: “When you’re done, you’re done. Make the most out of every single moment; wrestle every match like it’s your last.”

Seeley: “[Wrestling] was probably the best decision I’ve ever made to date.” He’s looking forward to “seeing what these underclassmen can do.”

Schlater: “Because I’m going on to college with wrestling, it doesn’t really affect me as much to leave, but I am pretty excited to see what these underclassmen can do. Hopefully, they can break the records we did last year and keep pushing forward.”

Herrera: “I wasn’t really going to wrestle at all, actually, but TJ talked me into it. Honestly, I think that’s the best decision someone’s ever made for me.” He advised the underclassmen: “Make sure you’re ready [and] know your worth.”

Parker Seeley’s name for winning in 2020 and Rowdy Pfeil’s for winning in 2018 and 2020 as well as their signatures were also added to the State Championship banner.

Individual Awards

Outstanding Wrestler:

Parker Seeley

Parker Schlater

Rowdy Pfeil

Outstanding Underclassman:

Kaden Haynes

Best Attitude:

Tucker Cook

Best Performance at State:

Hunter Garoutte

Sean Buckmiller

Most Improved from Last Season:

Wyatt Peters

Most Improved during Season:

Randy Peters

Overcome Adversity:

Hunter Garoutte

Wolf Award:

Mica Herrera

Darrian Black

Record Awards

Parker Seeley:

Most Team Points (season) – 283

Most team points (career) – 978

Most Wins – 51 season

Parker Schlater:

Most pins (season) – 40

100+ Career Wins 2017-2020

4-time State Placer:

Parker Seeley

Rowdy Pfeil

Mica Herrera