Cowboys win four duals

MEEKER I The Meeker wrestling team opened the season last week with 12 varsity wrestlers competing in the Colorado Mesa University duals in Grand Junction and nine Cowboys wrestling in a JV tournament in Montrose.
Meeker beat Cedaredge (51-16), Coal Ridge (63-12), Grand Valley (30-27) and Rangely (57-10) but lost to Palisade 21-52.
“I think it gives us some confidence, that we are competitive,” head coach J.C. Watt said of his team’s first performance. “All but four of our wins were by pin, which is good because that’s the ultimate goal in a match.”
Leading the way with five pins in five matches was Cowboy sophomore Tristin Pelloni, who was the only Meeker wrestler to win all of his matches.
“Tristin wrestled well, and he did not have a point scored on him,” Watt said of his 112-pounder.
Aaron Cochran pinned three opponents as did freshman Devon Pontine. Freshmen Noah Overton and T.J. Shelton each recorded two pins as did sophomore Anthony Watt. Others winning at least one match were Kylloe Goedert, J.R. Crawford, J.C. Henderson and Willis Begaye and freshman Robby Jensen got his first varsity experience. Dillon Frantz led the JV Cowboys in Montrose, finishing second, winning three matches, two by pin fall.
The Cowboys have 23 wrestlers out for the team this year and Watt said they are at a “tipping point.”
“We have the kids and numbers, now we need to increase the intensity in practice,” Watt said. “We did well the first week but we still have lots of improving to do.”
The JV and varsity Cowboys will wrestle in Oak Creek this Saturday and will attempt to defend the team title they won last year at the Soroco Invitational.
“We’ll do our best,” Watt said.