MHS wins Eagle Valley tourney

MEEKER I “Hard work,” is what Meeker wrestling coach J.C. Watt credited for Meeker’s win at the Eagle Valley tournament last Saturday in the Cowboys’ first action since Christmas break. “We had a lot of kids come in over Christmas break and I think we were in better shape than most teams.”
The Cowboys won the tournament with 150 points, eight of 11 placers, including two champions and one of the tournament’s outstanding wrestlers. Eagle Valley and Hotchkiss tied for second.
Meeker freshman T.J. Shelton won the 160-pound bracket and was named the tournament’s upper-weight outstanding wrestler.
“T.J. beat a good kid from North Park in the semis and beat a tough kid from Grand Valley by major decision (16-5) in the finals,” Watt said. “He just keeps getting better and keeps improving each week.”
Sophomore Tristin Pelloni continues to dominate and remains undefeated at 113, after pinning both his opponents in Eagle Valley.
“Tristin hasn’t been challenged yet. He’s whipped everybody,” Watt said.
Aaron Cochran (126), Anthony Watt (138) and Devon Pontine (152) also made it to the finals but finished second in their respective weights.
Cochran dropped from 132 and lost 2-3 in the finals. Watt had a pin and a major decision before getting caught and pinned in the finals and coach Watt just said, “Devon is good,” about Pontine.
J.C. Henderson (132) and senior J.R. Crawford (170) both finished as consolation champions and Kylloe Goedert was fourth at 120.
“J.R. won a match in overtime and another one at the end of the third period,” Watt said. “It was good to see him pull out a couple of matches in the third period.”
Watt said Calvin Shepherd (106), Lathrop Hughes (182) and Noah Overton (220) did not place but “they are all improving.”
Watt said Nick Burri (106), Sam Lange (120) and Jake Henderson (126) wrestled in the JV tournament, all winning at least one match. Lange won three matches by pin fall and placed fourth.
The Cowboys will wrestle in the Rangely tournament this Saturday.