RANGELY I Rangely’s junior high wrestlers competed in the 16 team Gypsum Creek Middle School Wrestling Invitational on Leap Day last weekend. Rangely has 15 grapplers this season including Gage Nielsen, Robert Murray, Drew Zadra, Landon Carlson, Aiden Christian, Clay Allred, Isaiah Moody, Trenton Long, Kobey Chism, Kolby Olsen, Jaxon Torsell, Wyatt Petty, Braden Lucas, Marcos Quintana and Colin Zadra (who was unable to compete due to illness).
For being such a young team, these wrestlers gave it their all. Placing at their respective weights were first placers Aiden Christian, who toughed out a battle to beat Iris Renteria of Grand Valley 8-4; Kobey Chism, wrestling against familiar opponent Leo Meraz of Glenwood Springs and won the nail biter 3-2. Jaxon Torsell and Cade Blunt of Meeker wrestled a dog fight of a match, leaving it to overtime, and a young referee to decide the match. Torsell was the victor as he was able to get the call to move on to the finals. Third place winner Robert Murray, and fourth place finisher Gage Nielsen wrestled all the other competition in their round robin bracket.
Coach Ryan Torsell said, “There were a lot of things that the team did great…and there are a lot of things to work on this coming week. Overall the kids did great and we are excited for the season.”
The team will travel to Oak Creek on Saturday, March 7 for the Soroco Invitational.
By Roxie Fromang
Special to the Herald Times
