Panthers qualify four for state tourney

RANGELY I The Panthers only took five wrestlers to the state qualifying regional tournament last weekend in Grand Junction and all five of them won matches and placed in the top six of their weight class, four of them in the top four, qualifying them for the Colorado State Wrestling Championships, starting today in the Pepsi Center in downtown Denver.
“I’m proud of each and every one of them,” head coach Derek Stolworthy said of his wrestlers.
Patrick Brown, Lucas Heinle, Colton Coombs and Jake Smith all qualified for the state meet. Freshman Ethan Allred gained valuable experience, getting a win in the regional tournament and placing sixth in the 145-pound bracket.
Senior heavyweight Patrick Brown earned his second trip to the “Big Show” with a second place finish in his bracket.
Sophomore Lucas Heinle, who placed sixth last year in the state tournament qualified again this year with a fourth place finish in the 138-pound bracket.
Junior Colton Coombs will also make his second trip to compete in the state tournament. Coombs finished fourth in the regional tournament in the 152-pound bracket.
Rangely senior Jake Smith will make his first trip over the mountains to wrestle in the state championships after a third place finish in the 170-pound class. Smith advanced to the semifinals where he was defeated by Meeker’s Justin Hardy but he came back to win two more matches and the consolation championship to earn his trip to Denver.
“Each of them should do well at state,” Stolworthy said of his foursome. “They have all worked hard for it.”
The first round of the Colorado State Championships starts today at 3 p.m. in the Pepsi Center.