Though smaller in numbers, the Riverton girls wrestling team doesn’t lack a strong identity. Team members have positive attitudes and a willingness to do what it takes to be competitive. 

Head coach Cy Miyake just hopes the team can increase in size. 

Wrestling is a sport where sheer numbers can be the difference between winning and losing, as well as placing more competitors at state or being left out of the postseason. Riverton doesn’t have enough wrestlers to fill every weight class, which can make it difficult for the Silverwolves to overtake teams with more competitors. Miyake is working hard to attract more wrestlers to the team so it can have better chances of scoring more points in meets. 

“Definitely the No. 1 thing I’d like to improve is the overall numbers of the team,” Miyake said. “We have 18 so far, but not every weight class is filled. Everyone, including me, has to keep recruiting around the school to be able to field a full 14-weight-class varsity lineup next year.”

Still, it’s not as though the Silverwolves are an afterthought in meets and tournaments. The team still fights hard and has some talented wrestlers who pose big tests to opponents. In particular, Riverton has a solid core of sophomores who have improved and progressed rapidly. The Silverwolves also have a returning state champion in 120-pounder Hannah Larson, though she is wrestling in a different class this season. 

“Any weight class she competes in, she’ll be a contender to be first on the podium,” Miyake said of Larson. 

A handful of other wrestlers are making strides for Riverton and are ready to help lead the team to wins. 

“Our 100-pounder, sophomore Melayna Johnson has made huge strides in her wrestling and started off 3-0 and took first at the Brawl at the Hall Tournament,” Miyahke said. “Brynlee Mackay and Ashlyn Oman round out that group who are looking to improve on qualifying for the state tournament into placing at the state tournament. Lastly, we have a senior heavyweight transfer, Maleah Asi, who has gotten off to a strong start as well. If everything goes well, we’ll see her on the 6A podium in February [at the state tournament].”

What the team may lack in participants, it makes up for in dedication and camaraderie. Miyake said his pupils love competing together and enjoy being together in practices and meets. 

“I’ve really loved our team culture so far this year,” he said. “It’s early in the season, but this is a great group to have in the room at practice and in matches and tournaments. They all want each other to succeed and will do whatever they can to make each other better. Most of the new wrestlers we’ve had this year have also taken the opportunity to wrestle in preseason matches, which gave them valuable mat time in the fall.”

The Silverwoves have been aggressive this season and aren’t afraid to go after opponents. 

“So far, the biggest strength on the mat has been our ability and willingness to score takedowns,” Miyake said. “Wrestling is a unique sport where you’re on offense and defense at the same time, but the odds to win are usually tilted in the favor of the offensive wrestler. If this year’s team can keep up the offense-first mindset and bring the attack to their opponents, they will have a lot of success.”

Not having a wrestler at every weight class makes things more challenging for Riverton. Further complicating Riverton’s chances is the fact the team competes in a deep and talented region, Region 2, where just about every opponent is loaded with talent and experience. Mountain Ridge is the defending Class 6A state champion, while Copper Hills is a force. Newcomers to the region, Westlake and Cedar Valley, had a lot of success previously in Class 5A.

But Miyake knows his girls won’t back down. Instead, he’s looking at the stiff competition as an opportunity to improve. 

“You have to embrace the tough competition as it will only make you better,” he said. “Beating up on lower or smaller teams gets old and loses its luster quickly.”

By season’s end, Miyake hopes Riverton can have some wrestlers place in the top six at state. He knows placing some team members is one of the best ways the program can continue to grow and establish itself as a contender in region and at state.

“My biggest goal is to have three state placers on the 6A podium in February, which would be an improvement by one from last year,” Miyake said. “It definitely won’t be easy, but I’m very confident in the hard work they put in the sport to make it a reality. Once you understand it’s a process you have to take part in day by day to get better, you’ll improve so much on the mat, and the results will show. It takes a special kind of dedication and effort, with some luck involved, that’s more than just showing up to practice.”

The Riverton wrestlers are willing to put in the effort each day, and Miyake is grateful for that. He enjoys his job and is happy to see the girls learn and develop their skills. 

“I love the overall vibes in the wrestling room,” he said. “It’s the highlight of my day, and this team just loves to have a great time while also putting in the work to get better. They all want to learn and improve, but we have fun in our process. I wouldn’t trade this team for anyone.”