MEEKER I “It was a pretty tough tournament up there,” Barone Middle School wrestling coach Lee Overton said of the competition at the annual Carl Ramunno Memorial Tournament in Steamboat Springs.
The young Cowboys entered 19 wrestlers in the tournament, including five sixth-graders on the team for the first time in Barone Middle School history.
“I think they had a good time, learning the difference between pee-wee wrestling and middle school wrestling,” head coach Lee Overton said. “I think it was a good experience for them.”
Barone Middle School had three wrestlers advance to the championship match, but none were able to win.
Eighth-grade wrestlers Jacob Pelloni (90) and Logan Hughes (155), along with seventh grader Tannen Kennedy (105) each finished as runners-up. Eighth grader Garrett Frantz was the consolation champion in the 100-pound bracket.
Tucker Slaugh was the only sixth grader to place in the top four for Meeker. Slaugh was fourth in the 75-pound bracket.
Eighth graders Daylon Nielsen (120) and Eli Hanks (145), also finished fourth in their respective weights.
Cody Follman (85), James Amick (115) and Miquel Lopez (285) all won two matches but did not place.
Trapper McGruder (80), Tevin Pelloni (95), Luis Villalpando (110), Christoper Strate (120), Kesston Hobbs (120) and Jake Shelton (125) all won one match in the tournament in their respective weights. Kale Burke (85), Pake Burke (110) and Jared Henderson also wrestled in the Carl Ramunno Memorial.
Rangely and South Routt County (Soroco) wrestled in Meeker on Tuesday in a triangular meet, and the Cowboys will wrestle in Oak Creek on Saturday.