RANGELY I The Rangely High School Panther wrestling team wrestled in the annual Tournament of Champions in Vernal, Utah, and Panther senior Caleb Lawson finished third in the 160-pound bracket.
Rangely will host the Vern Rose Memorial tournament Saturday, starting at 9 a.m.
“Caleb wrestled a really good tournament, and our other wrestlers did an outstanding job and continue to improve each week,” Rangely head coach Travis Witherell said.
The Panthers entered 10 wrestlers in the competitive tournament and Lawson was the only one to make it onto the podium. Lawson advanced to the semifinals, where he lost his first match of the tournament. It would also be his only loss, as the Panther would win two more matches and win the consolation championship in his weight division.
Rangely’s C.J. Lucero and Jesse Powell were the only other Panthers to win a match in the very competitive tournament.
The Panthers will host the Vern Rose Memorial tournament on Saturday. The tournament will feature both Rio Blanco County teams and six others in a bracketed tournament.
“I am really excited to have a showing at home for all or our hometown fans,” coach Witherell said. “We have worked incredibly hard up to this point, and I’m anxious to see how our guys will do.”