Panthers clip Duchesne

RANGELY — The Panther wrestling team traveled to Duchesne last Wednesday for a dual with the Eagles. I thought the dual was going to be close due to having a few varsity wrestlers out of the lineup. The Panthers stepped up and defeated the Eagles 45-28. We wrestled well and came back and won some matches where we were down.
Chad Petersen lost by a fall at 103. At 112 Chance Peters also lost by a fall. At 119 Blake Wanstedt avenged an earlier season loss and won by a pin. At 125 Devon Rose won by a decision 4-0 over the Utah state champ.
At 130, Rangely gave up a forfeit. At 135 Cole Barlow won by a fall. At 140, Zakk Wenzel lost by a fall. At 145, Brandon Gray won by a decision 10-5. At 152, Ryan Cramer won by a fall. At 160, Christian Holcomb won by forfeit. At 171, Keane Raley won an exciting overtime match 11-9. At 189, Mike Dillon lost by a decision 13-4. At 215, Patrick Brown won by a fall as did Kindal Cushman at heavyweight.
On Friday, the Panthers were at the very tough Warrior Classic in Grand Junction. The Panthers wrestled well for the most part considering the level of competition. The Panthers placed three: Devon Rose, fourth at 125; Travis Witherell, fifth at 140; and Christian Holcomb, fifth at 160.
We are done until the holidays are over, then we resume with the Tourn-ament of Champions in Vernal, Utah, Jan. 9-10. Our first-half schedule has been brutal, and we have competed very hard everywhere we have gone. I am very proud of this team, but we still have to get better. Our first action at home will be Jan. 16-17. Thanks to all the parents for their support and a big thanks to Lil for getting Blake to the doctor for us. Merry Christmas to all.