RANGELY I The Rangely High School Panther wrestlers finished the regular season competing in the Meeker Duals, and they will enter nine wrestlers in the state-qualifying regional tournament, which starts Friday at Palisade High School. Although the Rangely Panthers did not win a dual match, their coach is still proud of his team and is looking forward to this weekend.
“I’ve been saying it all year, but the guys just continue to get better and progress each week,” Rangely head coach Travis Witherell said. “I’m nothing but proud of what they have accomplished thus far, and I was proud of how we wrestled in Meeker.
The Panthers wrestled Coal Ridge and won three of five matches wrestled, they won two matches against Rifle, and a couple against Steamboat Springs, but they did not win any against Meeker.
Rangely will be represented in nine of 14 weights at the regional tournament and coach Witherell is hoping to advance several to the state tournament.
C.J. Lucero will represent the Panthers at 113, Landon Rowley (126), Tristan Moore (132), Grady Nielson (138), Jessy Powell (145), Nych Deleon (152), Caleb Lawson (160), Kiki Ruiz (182) and Chance Sheppard at 220.
“We set goals at the beginning of the year and I’m just looking forward to how my guys come out and react in a big situation like the regional tournament,” coach Witherell said. “We will see what we’re made of.”
