RMS wrestlers finish second

RANGELY — The Rangley Middle School wrestling team started the season with a strong showing at Craig Middle School last Saturday. The Panthers took second place out of nine teams and as a dual meet/team tournament, there were no individual placements.
Rangely started the day wrestling the Steamboat Springs Sailors and won 54-48. Next, Rangely took on West Grand and won 42-31.
After the Mustangs, the Panthers wrestled North Park and won a close 46-42 dual.
For the championship of the A pool the Panthers had to wrestle the South Routt County (Soroco) Rams and defeated the Rams 43-33. The win made the Panthers champions of the A pool.
After winning their pool, the Panthers had to wrestle Grand Mesa, champions of the B pool. Rangely lost a hard fought dual to Grand Mesa.
Coach Claude Rose was very pleased with the way the Panthers wrestled the first weekend.
“We have some new kids in our wrestling program and with some more mat time we will be a real strong team by the end of the season,” Rose said.
Rangely had two J.V. wrestlers help out West Grand. Michael Miner went 3-1 and Gabe Garcia went 3-1.
Varsity wrestler Colton Coombs is the “beast” of the week, he was undefeated in five matches, the first weekend.
“Thank you to the parents and supporters who went to Craig to cheer our kids on,” Rose said.
The Panthers travel to Hayden Tuesday night to wrestle a quad and back to Hayden again this Saturday for a tournament.
Wrestling starts at 9 a.m. Saturday. Come watch this young and exciting team.