A strong, hard-working team that was willing to do what the coaching staff asked of them.  When the SVHS Cross-Country team was approved, that was about all a coach could ask for.  Those early teams got just that, but over the years, the numbers and the expectations have grown especially on the girls side which claimed its second consecutive 4A West crown on their home turf on Friday.

The Lady Braves had three top-five finishes and four in the top ten as they out-distanced themselves from second place Green River.  Brooke Nethercott (21:45) placed second overall with Brittney Nethercott (21:49) and Hailey Ricks (21:57) taking third and fourth respectively.  Abby McArthur (23:15) brought home tenth place with all four of them earning all-conference honors.  Christy Clinger (23:54), Ashley Hall (24:22) and Jessica Woodford (26:41)  all ran well to round out the effort.

The Braves placed fourth overall with Jared Inskeep (19:03) placing ninth overall to earn all-conference honors for the second consecutive year.  Nathan Merritt (19:57), Ben Sabat (20:10), Mike Rider (20:18)  and Grant Cameron (21:29) rounded out the top five.

The Natrona Mustangs pulled away for the team title with Rock Springs placing second.

The teams will now travel to Douglas for the state meet where the Lady Braves will be looking to finish on the podium for the third straight season. They have finished third the past two years.

Detailed results from the race will be posted when available.

Tigers stop Braves at the goal line for a 27-20 victory

The Lander Tigers brought out the razzle and the dazzle to open up a 17-0 lead on the visiting Braves until Star Valley could stop the bleeding.  Tanner Simpson executed a perfect reverse wide-receiver pass to Derek Peil for a 67-yard bomb in the first quarter.

After a tipped Logan Abrams pass was intercepted by Joe Malek, the Tigers trotted out David Luck who hit his first of two 37-yard field goals in the evening.  Simpson would add a 50-yard touchdown catch to push the advantage to 17.

Star Valley would answer in the second quarter with Abrams marching his troops down the field and hitting junior Ridge Hillyard on a 10-yard touchdown strike.

After stopping the Tigers, Abrams scampered 47 yards for another touchdown to pull within three points.  A third touchdown came on a 3-yard touchdown pass to Conner Hoopes which was followed by a blocked extra point.

The Tigers would answer just before the half and Luck’s second field goal tied the game up at 20-20 at the break.

The second half was a tale of two goal-line stands.  The Tigers were able to score on third and a yard to take a 27-20 lead.  In the fourth quarter, Abrams went down with an injured ankle while trying to tie the game.  Star Valley was unable to put the ball in on the ensuing two plays.  Abrams was unable to return with freshman Trace Haderlie replacing him in the latter half of the fourth quarter.

Hillyard finished with his best rushing outing of the season with 73 yards while finishing with 23 yards receiving as well.  Abrams finished with over 140 yards rushing to go with 103 yards passing.  His status for this week’s game in Jackson is questionable.

A victory over the rival Broncs combined with a Worland loss in Cody would put the Braves into the playoffs at the #4 seed in the West and a rematch with Douglas.  A loss would end their season.  Jackson has already been eliminated from playoff consideration.

Lady Braves wrap up the regular season with the #2 seed in the West

The Lady Braves volleyball team was unable to close out visiting Evanston on the home court with a chance to claim the regular season regional crown on Thursday, losing in five games.  However, they did wrap up the #2 seed and an automatic birth in the 4A State Tournament two weeks from now.

The Lady Braves can still claim the regional title this weekend but will have to defeat Evanston on their home court as they play host to the league.

Take a look at the 4A West Regional seedings here.

Rock Springs, Riverton, Green River and Natrona will play next Friday with two of the teams being eliminated before Saturday’s matches.

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