Six Cowboys head to state tournament

Four wrestlers place in top six in their weight classes

MEEKER | The 2021 State Wrestling Tournament had a whole different look and feel. Historically the event has taken place at the Pepsi Center, but this year it was in Pueblo, Colorado. For each weight class only eight boys were brought up from regionals and for each boy, only two spectators each were allowed in.

Six Cowboys made their way to the “Big Show” with their coaches this past weekend. Usually held at the Pepsi Center, this year’s competition instead took place in Pueblo, Colorado. Left to right are coaches Justin and Trevor Grant, junior Ty Goedert, coach JC Watt, coach Stryker Lane, sophomore Connor Blunt, coach Carl Padilla, freshman Brendan Clatterbaugh, junior Kelton Turner, sophomore Trae Kennedy, coach Tyrell Turner and senior Colby Clatterbaugh. | BOBBY GUTIERREZ PHOTO

Meeker took six boys this year, Ty Goedert at 113 pounds, Trae Kennedy (120), Connor Blunt (145), Kelton Turner (160), Brendan Clatterbaugh (170), and Colby Clatterbaugh (195). Four of the six boys ended up placing in the top six.

Goedert and Kennedy both suffered two losses in their first two matches, eliminating them from the podium.

“Ty had a tough tournament,” began head coach JC Watt, “in his second match he got caught and pinned early.”

“Trae had a tough weight class, but wrestled well,” said Watt.

Blunt won by decision in his first match, sealing a spot in the top six. In his final match of the evening he lost by decision 7-5, with the score going back and forth the entire six minutes.

“Connor wrestled really well,” commented Watt, “he only lost by two so he is there and at that level.”

Turner, who is a junior and has not wrestled since his eighth grade year, took third place.

“Kelton did great,” said Watt, “it was so good to have him back we were very happy.”

Brendan Clatterbaugh | GAYLE ZIMMERMAN PHOTO

B. Clatterbaugh took sixth, “as a freshman at 170 pounds it is a big deal that Buzz placed,” commented Watt, “not many freshman place in the upper weights.”

Colby Clatterbaugh | GAYLE ZIMMERMAN PHOTO

Meeker had one state champion this year, C. Clatterbaugh, who had a tough bracket with two returning state champions, Fabian Lopez of Sedgwick County whom he beat in a 8-4 decision, and Adam Schulz from Crowley County whom he beat by a technical fall 19-2.

C. Clatterbaugh is the first Meeker Cowboy since 2007 to have an undefeated season.

“Colby wrestled really well; he is a senior who has worked hard all of his high school career, improving each year in the regular season and at the state tournament, it shows how much work he has put in,” said Watt.

“It was a long season with all the COVID rules, but the kids did their best to not use it as an excuse and worked hard all year,” wrapped up Watt.

By TIFFANY JEHOREK – Special to the Herald Times