Coombs places sixth at Vernal

RANGELY I The Panther wrestling team opened the 2013 part of the season in Vernal, Utah competing in the 40th annual Tournament of Champions. They came home with one placer.
In arguably the toughest tournament the Panthers will wrestle in this year, the tournament’s name speaks for the caliber of competition, which features teams from Utah, Colorado and Wyoming in the 32-man brackets,
“We took nine wrestlers this year and it was a tough tournament like always,” head coach Jeff Heinle said. “We had four wrestlers still in the consolation rounds at the end of Friday night.”
Senior Colton Coombs made it to the quarterfinals in the 160-pound bracket but lost to the No. 1 seeded wrestler in the weight from Green River, Wyo. Coombs finished seventh, winning three matches and losing two.
Ethan Allred also won three matches and was one match away from the medal round in the 152-pound bracket. Caleb Lawson won two matches at 138 and Heath Peters won a match in the 113-pound bracket.
Wrestlers who were eliminated early Friday were able to wrestle in new brackets Saturday and a few Panthers won some matches on the second day. Lucas Heinle went 1-2 on Friday and came back to win all three of his Saturday matches. Ryan Barlow (126) won two matches on Saturday and Jesse Odom (138) won one. Josh Bolding (152 JV), and Drew Collins wrestled but did not win.
Rangely will host Olathe and Steamboat Springs in a dual meet triangular Friday starting at 6:30 p.m., then host the Rangely Invitational Saturday featuring 10 teams.
“Come out and support your Rangely Panther wrestling team,” Heinle said.