Gillette's Antonio Avila: WyoPreps AOY Boys Wrestling 2023-24

The first recipient of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming WyoPreps Athlete of the Year Award for boys wrestling is Antonio Avila from Thunder Basin High School. The senior earns the honor after winning a state championship for a fourth straight year and leading the Bolts to the Class 4A team title.

Avila finished his prep career with a 45-0 record and another state title in 2024. This championship came at 144 pounds. He won all four matches at the state tournament with bonus-point wins. Avila pinned two opponents, had one tech fall, and one major decision. He won titles at the Rapid City Invitational, Pat Weede Memorial, Shane Shatto Memorial, the 65th Annual Cowboy Invite in Montana, the Dylan Humes Memorial Mixer, the Ron Thon Memorial, and the 4A East Regional. The senior won 42 matches with bonus points for the season. That included 21 by fall and 17 tech falls. He scored 296.5 team points for the Bolts. Avila also helped Thunder Basin win its first wrestling state championship in the 2023-24 season with 260 team points.

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With an individual state title this year, Avila became one of 30 wrestlers in state history as a four-time state champion. He capped his career at 163-6.

WyoPreps visited with Antonio about receiving this award. He was excited to get it but said he couldn’t have done it without his coaches and the support he received as a senior. Avila called the wrestling season his favorite time of year and important to him. He was very to finish undefeated, described what he focused on during the season and more.

Congratulations to Antonio Avila!