RANGELY | “This tournament was just what we needed, as it was a round robin, bracketed tournament,” Rangely wrestling coach J.C. Chumacero said. “Most or our wrestlers got at least five matches and some even wrestled nine.”
Panther freshman Zane Varner won five of his eight matches and placed fourth in his first-ever high school tournament.
“I’m extremely happy with Zane’s performance,” coach Chumacero said. “He lost to a Utah state runner-up and a Utah state consolation champ.”
Junior Justin Rusher won two of eight matches and classmate Dalton Dembowski won three of nine, while freshmen Dantea Pearce and Byron Mackay each earned their first high school varsity wins.
Freshmen classmates Braxton Moore and Brent Cantrell, along with sophomore Anthony Garner and junior Del Garner all wrestled matches but did not get a win, while junior Tytus Coombs did not wrestle because of a football injury.
“Justin and Dalton wrestled hard and fought to the end on every match,” Chumacero said. “Three of the others have not been wrestling since pee-wee, so they are just simply missing the experience and mat time. We are hoping Tytus will be ready to rock and roll next weekend when we compete in Soroco.”
The tournament featured mostly Utah teams but coach Chumacero said they “got the opportunity to see a few of our regional foes, like Dove Creek, Dolores, Mancos, Norwood and Nucla.”
“This tournament showed us we have a lot to work on but these guys come in the room every day, ready to learn and to work hard,” coach Chumacero said.
By BOBBY GUTIERREZ | Special to the Herald Times
