RANGELY — The Panthers wrestling team started the second half of the season in the Tournament of Champions in Vernal last Friday and Saturday.
Five Rangely wrestlers brought home medals, with Christian Holcomb leading the way with a second place. Devon Rose placed fifth, Ryan Petty placed sixth, Ryan Cramer placed seventh and Travis Witherell placed eighth.
As a team the Panthers finished 13th.
At 103 Chad Petersen went 0-2, Chance Peters went 2-2, at 112 Ryan Petty went 3-2, at 119 Blake Wanstedt went 2-2, at 125 Devon Rose went 4-2, at 130 JC Chumacero went 2-2, at 135 Cole Barlow went 1-2, Brandon Gray went 2-2, at 140 Travis Witherell went 3-3, at 145 Ryan Cramer went 3-3, Logan Osborne went 0-2,at 152 Christian Holcomb went 4-1, at 160 Keane Raley went 2-2, at 189 Bo Armstrong went 0-2, at 215 Mike Dillon went 2-2, Patrick Brown went 1-2 and at heavywight Kindal Cushman went 2-2.
At 140 Zakk Wenzel and 152 Jake Smith didn’t get into the big tournament but got to wrestle on Saturday where they both won some matches.
I am pleased with the team’s effort. We are really starting to show improvement in the areas we need. We finish the season wrestling schools our own size and now it is time to start putting it all together and get ready for the very tough regional tournament. We will be home for the first time this year with a dual with the defending Utah state champions Duchesne on Friday at 6:30 p.m., and then Saturday we will host the Panther Invitational starting at 9 a.m. Currently the Panthers are ranked sixth by On The Mat Rankings, come out and watch the Panthers this weekend in what should be some exciting wrestling.
A big thanks to all the wrestling fans who traveled to Vernal to support the team.