Panthers compete at Vernal TOC

RANGELY I The Rangely Panthers wrestling team traveled to Vernal, Utah, with seven wrestlers for the very competitive Tournament of Champions.
The Panthers will wrestle at home this weekend, hosting a triangular meet with Olathe and Hayden on Friday. Rangely will host the first annual Vern Rose Memorial Wrestling Tournament on Saturday. The late Vern Rose was a great supporter of the Panthers wrestling program.
Rangely senior Lucas Heinle won two matches Friday in Vernal, advancing to Saturday’s rounds still in the championship bracket. However, he lost to a wrestler from Pleasant Grove to finish with two wins and two losses in the 152-pound bracket.
“This was a tough tournament, like we expected,” head coach Jeff Heinle said of the 41st annual Tournament of Champions.
Caleb Lawson also won two matches in the 145-pound bracket and Ethan Allred won three at 160 before being eliminated. Heath Peters (132) and Nych DeLeon (138) both won a match in their respective weights. Kiki Ruiz wrestled three JV matches at 138 but did not win any. Ryan Wilczek also found the competition tough in the 195-pound bracket, where he went 0-3.
Teams from Meeker, Hayden, Soroco, West Grand, Steamboat Springs, Glenwood Springs, Olathe, Grand Junction, Grand Junction Central, Palisade and Fruita will all send JV teams, Moffat County and Hotchkiss will also be in attendance.
Wrestling starts Friday at 7 p.m., and at 9 a.m. on Saturday.