MEEKER | The Cowboys hosted their first home duals of the season last Thursday against Grand Valley and Moffat County.
The Cardinals had a hard time keeping up with the Cowboys, losing the dual 51-9, they forfeited three weights giving up 18 points. Scoring by pin were Ty Goedert at 113 pounds, Trae Kennedy (120), Connor Blunt (145), Dax Sheridan (182), and Colby Clatterbaugh (195), all scoring six points. Winning by decision was Kaden Franklin (138) scoring three points.
Moffat County, the rival to the north, went down 12-0 immediately as they were unable to fill the 195 and 220 weights, handing Clatterbaugh and Judd Harvey (220) forfeits. Tanner Musser (285) then came out and pinned for six points, followed by the most exciting match of the evening. Goedert took the mat with 3A No. 2 ranked Kaden Hixson, both wrestlers fought to the end and when the final seconds of the third round ended, the score was tied 7-7. In sudden death Goedert scored two points winning the match 9-7 and the Cowboys were up 21-6.
As the evening progressed, Kennedy, Blunt, Brendan Clatterbaugh, and Sheridan all won their matches for a final score of 42-33 the Cowboys.
“We are continuing to wrestle hard,” commented head coach JC Watt, “there is still some improvement needed before regionals, but we are on track.”
Saturday the team once again loaded up and headed south, this time to Cedaredge, to battle the Bruins and Demons from Buena Vista.
No. 3 ranked Cedaredge and Meeker lined up on 13 of the 14 weights, the Cowboys didn’t have a 106. Scoring points for Meeker was Goedert, Kennedy, Kelton Turner (160), B. Clatterbaugh, Sheridan, C. Clatterbaugh, and Harvey. Final score, 42-37, the Bruins.
Another top 10 team, the Cowboys and Bruins took to the mat. Tyson Portwood (138), Harvey and Musser all pinned, scoring six points each, added to the Demon forfeit, the Cowboys were unable to pull out the win, losing 36-40.
Beginning Thursday the Cowboys final weekend of the regular season kicks off with the local county rival, the Rangely Panthers traveling to Meeker for a dual. Friday Meeker then hosts its final regular season quad with Hotchkiss, Glenwood (who will be combined with Basalt), and Steamboat. Finally, Saturday the team will be in Palisade, wrestling Palisade, Moffat County, and Hayden.
Typically at the end of the season the team has met 90% or more of its regional opponents, but this year, they will not have gone head to head with even 50% of the teams in the region.
By TIFFANY JEHOREK – Special to the Herald Times
