Wrestlers compete in Paonia camp

MEEKER I The Meeker wrestling team has a new head coach and last week he took eight of his wrestlers to Paonia for a team tournament.
“I’m excited about the opportunity,” J.C. Watt said his role as the sixth head coach in Meeker High School’s wrestling history. Watt replaces Joe Gutierrez, who resigned earlier this spring after three seasons as head coach.
Lee Overton, who assisted Gutierrez and led the middle school program the past two years, will also assist Watt, a former two-time state champion, next year. The two started building future champions last week.
“It was a great camp, nobody got hurt and everyone got a lot of good mat time,” Watt said. “We camped out, giving me a chance to get to know the kids better. It was a good team builder.”
Robby Jensen, J.C. Henderson, Austin Purcell, Anthony Watt, T.J. Shelton, Willis Begaye, J.R. Crawford and Justin Hardy all wrestled at least 12 matches.
Watt said Hardy and Henderson only lost two matches each. Hardy wrestled 17 times. Jensen got the most matches, 19, for the Cowboys.
“We took thumpings from Fort Lupton, Ponderosa and Watasch, Utah, but we were competitive with the rest of the teams we wrestled,” Watt said.
The recently formed Meeker Community Wrestling Club will host its first fundraiser June 26, featuring a barbecue, games and silent auction, all benefiting Meeker’s wrestling program.
The $10 tickets can be purchased from any high school wrestler or by calling Stephanie Overton at (970)683-1440. Tickets will be $12 if purchased the day of the event.
The Cowboys will compete in another team tournament in Gunnison this weekend.