MEEKER I “It was fun,” Cowboy wrestling coach Joe Gutierrez said of a tournament last Saturday in Kremmling. “We’re starting to gel together.”
Because of injury and eligibility, only five wrestlers competed, but Gutierrez said most of the wrestlers traveled to the West Grand tournament.
“Pat (Love) and Mark (Papez) didn’t wrestle, but they are doing things to bring the team together,” Gutierrez said of the two injured seniors. “They can now count on each other in the wrestling room and on the weekends.”
Freshman Cody Pfau and junior Caleb Dodds both finished second in their respective weights, at each end of the weight divisions.
Pfau made it an all-girl championship in the 103-pound class, when she was defeated by returning state-qualifier Lauren Bruggnig from Soroco in the finals, and Dodds recorded three pins before losing in the finals of the heavyweight division.
“Both wrestled well,” Gutierrez said. “Caleb had been sick and only practiced once, but still wrestled well.”
Gutierrez was also pleased with sophomore Collin Cochran, who pinned two opponents and finished third in the 189-pound class, as well as freshmen Logan Piper and JR Crawford.
“Everyone is showing improvement,” Gutierrez said.