Rangely Panthers open season at Colorado Mesa University

RANGELY I The Rangely High School wrestling team opened the season at the Colorado Mesa University Duals in Grand Junction, and although the varsity team of five did not win any duals, they all had individual successes. “We wrestled OK for our first competition of the year,” Panthers head coach Jeff Heinle said. “I saw a lot of good things on Saturday, and with that said, I also saw a lot that needs to be worked on.” Wrestling on varsity for the Panthers were Heath Peters (132), Nych DeLeon (138), Caleb Lawson (145), Lucas Heinle (152) and Ethan Allred (170). Rangely JV wrestlers Ryan Barlow (138) and Ki Ki Ruiz (145) both wrestled two matches in Grand Junction. The Panthers lost duals to Cedaredge (66-18), Monticello, Utah (42-12), Montezuma-Cortez (42-6), Coal Ridge (48-24) and to Grand Valley (24-11). “The round against Coal Ridge was the best round we had as a team,” coach Heinle said. “We lost the dual, but we won all but one in the head-to-head matches.” Peters, DeLeon, Lawson and Heinle all won by pin. Heinle and Lawson finished with 3-2 records. Peters, DeLeon and Allred all have 2-3 records. Barlow pinned both of his opponents and Ruiz pinned one and lost the other. All but one of Rangely’s wins were by pin, Peters won by technical fall (15-0) against his Grand Valley opponent. “I think we will learn more from our losses than our wins this weekend,” Coach Heinle said. “Winning is a good thing, but if we can learn from our losses and not make the same mistakes that cost us matches, then it is going to be a good season.