MEEKER | The Meeker High School girls wrestling team competed in the West Grand Girls Invitational last weekend. They brought down all nine of their wrestlers to the tournament. Seven of them wrestled varsity, and two of them competed in junior varsity. The team finished third overall with 74 points.
Head coach Barny LeBlanc expressed pride in his team’s performance this past weekend.
“I’m really proud of the girls for wrestling with heart. The girls are improving every day, and the results are proving their progression,” LeBlanc said. “This was the first tournament where we had all nine girls wrestling.”
All seven varsity wrestlers placed in the tournament. Junior Gracie Varner and sophomores Ruth LeBlanc and Aurora Stallings earned gold medals. Junior Hayden Garcia placed third, freshman Kalee Ivy finished fourth, freshman Lucille Munger took fifth, and freshman Brielle Lucero placed sixth.
LeBlanc shared his excitement about the team’s results he got on Saturday afternoon.
“I was really excited to see Gracie Varner, Ruth LeBlanc, and Aurora Stallings all win their brackets. Emma Ford did great with a second-place finish, and it was awesome to see Abigail Amick wrestle in her first high school tournament and earn a second-place medal,” he said. “Luci Munger wrestled with heart and pinned her last opponent. Kalee Ivy had a strong first match and finished fourth in a bracket with three state placers. Hayden Garcia overcame adversity to finish third in a tough bracket. Unfortunately, Brielle Lucero suffered a knee injury in her first match, but we hope she’ll be back with us next week.”
In her final match, Varner faced Vanessa Herrera from Moffat County High School. After an intense first period, Varner reversed Herrera’s takedown, collected four back points, and led 6-3. In the second period, Varner executed another reversal and pinned Herrera.
LeBlanc credited the team’s early season success to the wrestlers’ coachability.
“I’m encouraged that we have a strong foundation laid, and now we’re focusing on the details that lead to success,” LeBlanc said. “The mat time we gained in West Grand’s round-robin brackets is essential for our growth.”
Meeker’s first-ever home dual is set for Thursday at 6 p.m. against the Rifle Bears. The team will then travel to Vernal, Utah, for the Tournament of Champions, which begins Friday and continues through Saturday.
LeBlanc also thanked boys wrestling head coach Stryker Lane and his team for their support.
“It’s been amazing how accommodating and helpful Coach Lane and the boys’ wrestling team have been. We’re very thankful for them,” LeBlanc said. “Congratulations to them on winning the West Grand Tournament last weekend.”
Good luck to the Cowboys this weekend and as always, go Cowboys!
