MEEKER | Last weekend, the Meeker Cowboys Girls Wrestling team traveled to Battle Mountain High School to compete in the Queens of the Mountain wrestling tournament. Despite bringing only three of their nine wrestlers due to injuries and illness, the team performed impressively, finishing fifth out of eight teams with a total score of 54.0 points.
Head Coach Barny LeBlanc acknowledged the challenges the team faced this weekend highlighting some injuries and sickness.
“Only three of our nine girls participated this weekend due to injury and sickness. We were small in number but still did well, and we are excited that seven of our nine girls should be able to compete this weekend,” said LeBlanc.
Despite their limited roster, the Cowboys secured outstanding individual performances. Sophomore Ruth LeBlanc and junior Gracie Varner both took first place in their weight classes, while junior Hayden Garcia earned second place.
LeBlanc praised Ruth and Gracie’s resilience and determination that they produced this past weekend.
“Gracie has made some great improvements and really turned the corner toward being an excellent wrestler. Both Ruth and Gracie had to wrestle opponents that were the next class up and kept their mental game strong. In Ruth’s match for first place, she wrestled all three periods and was trailing behind. She had a great throw at the end of the third period for a takedown and back points to win her match,” he said.
Garcia’s final match showcased her grit as she faced Penny Myer of West Grand Junction, who is ranked second in the state at 155 pounds in Division 4A.
“She did a great job of committing to her offense and pinned one of her opponents, but fell to the number two ranked girl,” LeBlanc added.
Despite missing the majority of the team, Coach LeBlanc was pleased with his teams overall performance in the tournament this past weekend.
“They did really well with all of the girls who wrestled, placing Gracie Varner 1st, Ruth LeBlanc 1st, and Hayden Garcia 2nd,” he said.
The team now looks ahead to some upcoming competitions. On Friday, they will travel to Canyon City for the Canyon City Tournament. The following Tuesday, they will face Basalt High School in a dual meet in Basalt, Colorado.
LeBlanc expressed confidence in his athletes as they start to prepare for tougher competition.
“I think they are all gaining skills to beat any opponent they come up against. We are just refining those skills and looking for more mat time to help gain the experience they need. We discuss how we need to use our losses to expose our weaknesses and grow in understanding in order for us to excel,” he said.
The Cowboys are also set to host a dual meet on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. at Meeker High School. With more athletes expected to return, the team is poised to continue their strong performance.
Good luck to the Meeker Cowboys girls wrestling team this weekend.
