MEEKER | The Cowboys wrestled in the Tournament of Champions in Vernal, Utah, last weekend and found the competition as tough as the tournament’s namesake. Several Cowboys won matches in the varsity tournament but only two placed. The Cowboys will take a week off to “heal up” according to head coach J.C. Watt, then wrestle Moffat County in a dual Jan. 22, before the Screaming Eagle tournament in Paonia Jan. 26.
Ty Goedert (106), Tannen Kennedy (145), Dax Sheridan (152), Colby Clatterbaugh (170), Kesston Hobbs (182), James Amick (182) and Ridge Williams (195), all won matches in their respective varsity brackets Friday. Kennedy lost in the semifinals but came back to win the consolation championship and Amick finished eighth.
“Tannen wrestled hard but lost to a tough Utah kid before battling back for third,” coach Watt said.
After being eliminated from the varsity tournament, a JV and second chance tournament were held Saturday where Rowdy Rosendahl (106), Owen Hanneman (106), Kaleb Nielsen (113), Damon Dade (120), Dalton Portwood (126), Carter Strate (126), Charles Curry (126), Tyson Portwood (132), Trinden Powell (138), Cooper Main (152), Jeremey Woodward (160), Brayden Woodward (160) and Reese Harvey (220) all wrestled matches, with all but three winning at least once. Curry placed second in his bracket.
“We got lots and lots of matches in the second chance tournament,” coach Watt said. “I think our team improved a lot.”
By BOBBY GUTIERREZ | Special to the Herald Times