RANGELY I With only four wrestlers, the Rangely High School Panther wrestling team did not win any duals at the Meeker dual meet tournament last Saturday but they gained valuable mat experience that they will use this weekend in the state-qualifying regional tournament.
Rangely senior Heath Peters won all four of his matches in the 132-pound division, and classmate Ethan Allred won three and lost one at 170. According to head coach Jeff Heinle, Kiki Ruiz (152) and Josh Bolding (182), “struggled trying to put things together after being under the weather last week.”
Coach Heinle is hoping things are put together for the regional tournament, which will be held at Colorado Mesa University, starting Friday at 1 p.m.
“Our wrestlers have their work cut out for themselves, as we are in a tough region,” Heinle said of the tournament, which features the top three 2A teams (Paonia, Norwood and Meeker). “Some of the matches this weekend will be repeated the following week at state for placing.
“Any mistake could be the difference of competing at the Pepsi Center or being a bystander; this goes for all wrestlers,” he said.
“One might be predicted to go to state but one could stay home, too; anything is possible this weekend. We will be working hard putting on the final touches before this weekend.”
