Rangely wrestlers ready for regional tournament

RANGELY I A dual meet between the Panther wrestling team and 3A Grand Valley was cancelled last week but according to head coach Derek Stolworthy, the team has spent the time training in preparation of the state-qualifying regional tournament this weekend at Palisade High School.
“We’ve spent the last two weeks having two-a-days, conditioning in the morning and working on technique and live wrestling in the afternoon,” Stolworthy said. “Everybody in the room is training hard and putting in 110 percent.”
Stolworthy, in his first year as head coach, said he is “excited and nervous,” about the regional tournament.
“I think my ulcer is acting up a little bit,” he said with a laugh. “But I’m ready to go.”
The Panthers fill 10 of 14 weights and four have qualified for the Colorado State Wrestling Championships held in the Pepsi Center in Denver.
The Panthers are led by senior Cole Barlow, who has qualified the past two years and is currently ranked No. 2 in the 152-pound division by On the Mat Rankings.
“Cole should take regionals and hopefully state,” Stolworthy said of the senior.
Stolworthy is also expecting good things from past qualifiers: seniors Blake Wanstedt (135), Chad Peterson (140) and Bo Armstrong (189).
“Blake has the toughest weight in the state and Chad has a chance but will have to wrestle his butt off,” Stolworthy said. “Bo has been injured but is back and looking strong again.”
Stolworthy believes all his wrestlers have an opportunity for a free trip to Denver including: freshman Taran Smedley (103), sophomore Jo D Stutls (112), freshman Lucas Heinle (125), sophomore Colton Coombs (145), senior Zakk Wenzel (160) and junior heavyweight Patrick Brown.
“I’m ready to see them do their best,” Stolworthy said of his team. “Win or loss if they do their best, that’s all I ask, I’m a happy coach.”
Wrestling will start at 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday at Palisade High School.