Meeker, Meeker Sports

Crawford wins two at state tournament

MEEKER I Cowboy sophomore JR Crawford won two matches at the Colorado State Wrestling Championships last weekend in the Denver Pepsi Center and was one win away from getting into the medal round.
“He was disappointed he didn’t place but he had a good season,” head coach Joe Gutierrez said of his 189-pounder. “He was giving up a lot of weight (Crawford weights about 172) but he stepped it up.”
Crawford qualified as a regional runner-up and won his first match against senior Levi Campfield of Wray, 10-8 in overtime. Crawford was pinned in the quarterfinal round by undefeated (35-0) freshman Johnny Loflin of Baca County, who went on to finish fifth in the 189-pound bracket.
Crawford then recorded a major decision (11-2) over senior Ryan Mangum of Mountain Valley in the quarterfinal round of the consolation bracket, before getting pinned by Colton Wyatt of Ignacio at the buzzer, ending the second period and Crawford’s season.
“I’m glad he’s not content,” Gutierrez said. “Hopefully he’ll get in the weight room and get more mat time this summer. It would be fun to watch him wrestle on Saturday night (state finals) in the next couple of years.”
Gutierrez is also hoping freshman qualifier J.C. Henderson makes it to the state finals in the next three years.
Henderson finished fourth at the regional tournament at 112-pounds, which matched him up against regional champion Seth Harrington of Sedgwick in the first round of the state tournament.
“He hit a No. 1 seed right off the bat but wrestled pretty good with him,” Gutierrez said.
Henderson dropped into the consolation bracket and lost 3-4 to Devon Torgerson of Fowler, ending his first high school season.
“J.C.’s second match was close and he gained a lot of experience,” Gutierrez said. “Hopefully, he too will be wrestling out there on Saturday night in the next three years.”
Gutierrez hopes all his wrestlers will put in the extra time in the weight room and on the wrestling mat to qualify more wrestlers for the next year’s state tournament, as Meeker had no seniors on the team this year and all will be back next year.
“There is a saying, ‘summer-time wrestling makes winter-time champions,’” Gutierrez said.
Gutierrez said one of the highlights was getting to visit with 2008 Olympic champion Henry Cejudo and his brother Angel before Friday’s semifinal round. The Cejudo brothers each came to Meeker to host wrestling clinics in the past and both are residents of the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, preparing for the 2012 summer Olympics.
Gutierrez was thankful to his assistant coach Lee Overton.
“It’s fun working with Lee, he’s a great assistant,” Gutierrez said of the former state wrestling champion. “The kids really respect him. He’s the head coach at the middle school and helps bring the program along.”

MEEKER I Cowboy sophomore JR Crawford won two matches at the Colorado State Wrestling Championships last weekend in the Denver Pepsi Center and was one win away from getting into the medal round.“He was disappointed he didn’t place but he had a good season,” head coach Joe Gutierrez said of his 189-pounder. “He was giving up a lot of weight (Crawford weights about 172) but he stepped it up.”Crawford qualified as a regional runner-up and won his first match against senior Levi Campfield of Wray, 10-8 in overtime. Crawford was pinned in the quarterfinal round by undefeated (35-0) freshman Johnny Loflin of Baca County, who went on to finish fifth in the 189-pound bracket.Crawford then recorded a major decision (11-2) over senior Ryan Mangum of Mountain Valley in the quarterfinal round of the consolation bracket, before getting pinned by Colton Wyatt of Ignacio at the buzzer, ending the second period and Crawford’s season.“I’m glad he’s not content,” Gutierrez said. “Hopefully he’ll get in the weight room and get more mat time this summer. It would be fun to watch him wrestle on Saturday night (state finals) in the next couple of years.”Gutierrez is also hoping freshman qualifier J.C. Henderson makes it to the state finals in the next three years.Henderson finished fourth at the regional tournament at 112-pounds, which matched him up against regional champion Seth Harrington of Sedgwick in the first round of the state tournament.“He hit a No. 1 seed right off the bat but wrestled pretty good with him,” Gutierrez said.Henderson dropped into the consolation bracket and lost 3-4 to Devon Torgerson of Fowler, ending his first high school season.“J.C.’s second match was close and he gained a lot of experience,” Gutierrez said. “Hopefully, he too will be wrestling out there on Saturday night in the next three years.”Gutierrez hopes all his wrestlers will put in the extra time in the weight room and on the wrestling mat to qualify more wrestlers for the next year’s state tournament, as Meeker had no seniors on the team this year and all will be back next year.“There is a saying, ‘summer-time wrestling makes winter-time champions,’” Gutierrez said.Gutierrez said one of the highlights was getting to visit with 2008 Olympic champion Henry Cejudo and his brother Angel before Friday’s semifinal round. The Cejudo brothers each came to Meeker to host wrestling clinics in the past and both are residents of the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, preparing for the 2012 summer Olympics.Gutierrez was thankful to his assistant coach Lee Overton.“It’s fun working with Lee, he’s a great assistant,” Gutierrez said of the former state wrestling champion. “The kids really respect him. He’s the head coach at the middle school and helps bring the program along.”

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  • It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
  • Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
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Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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