MEEKER | The Barone Middle School wrestling team has had an eventful past two weekends, competing in both the Hayden Tournament on March 15, 2025, and the Rangely JH Wrestling Invitational this past weekend.
At the Hayden Tournament, the Cowboys sent only 17 wrestlers instead of their usual 32 but still managed to secure second place as a team with a total score of 387 points. Leading the way with first-place finishes were Dillon Koenig (80 lbs), Midy Camargo (girls’ 110 lbs), Spencer Bair (115 lbs), Gael Rodriguez (125 lbs), Lyam Richardson (130 lbs), Preston Amick (145 lbs), and Carson Blunt (165 lbs).
Head Coach Nate Lee highlighted the challenges the team faced during the tournament.
“The BMS wrestling team has been competing well considering it was our spring break and some of our eighth graders went to the Rocky Mountain National Regional in Grand Junction and the RMN State Tournament in Denver. Our lineup shrunk to less than half of the members. Despite these challenges, several of our newer wrestlers stepped up and competed at a higher level,” Lee said.
Other notable performances included second-place finishes from Dylan Rundberg (90 lbs), Arionah Gutierrez (girls’ 80 lbs), Tacy Toon (girls’ 100 lbs), and Miles Fuller (140 lbs). Micah LeBlanc secured third place in the girls’ 120 lbs bracket.
This past weekend, the Cowboys traveled to Rangely, Colorado, for the 2025 Rangely JH Wrestling Invitational, where they took 22 wrestlers and claimed first place as a team with 212 points.
Top finishers for Barone Middle School included Jaxson McPherson (85 lbs), Gael Rodriguez (125 lbs), Dillon Koenig (80 lbs), and Spencer Bair (115 lbs), all of whom placed first in their respective weight classes. Second-place finishers were Midy Camargo (girls’ 110 lbs), Micah LeBlanc (girls’ 120 lbs), Lyam Richardson (135 lbs), Miles Fuller (140 lbs), Preston Amick (145 lbs), and Corin Grant (120 lbs).
Coach Lee praised standout performances from two wrestlers in particular.
“Our biggest standout has been Dillon Koenig and Miles Fuller. Dillon won both tournaments over break and is beginning to break old habits. Miles Fuller may not have won any tournaments, but he is picking up the fundamentals of wrestling quickly and has a good attitude,” Lee said.
Additional placers in Rangely included third-place finishers Adalin Esquivel (girls’ 90 lbs), Dylan Rundberg (90 lbs), Liam Thomson (155 lbs), and Arionah Gutierrez (girls’ 80 lbs). Fourth-place finishes went to Ollie Thomson (95 lbs) and Tacy Toon (girls’ 100 lbs).
The Cowboys will wrap up their season this coming weekend by hosting their home tournament at Meeker High School, beginning at 9 a.m. Coach Lee emphasized the team’s focus heading into the final competition.
“The biggest takeaway from the last month is how we need to be training. Our coaching staff has been consistent with communicating to our athletes that we need to train how we want to perform. Several athletes have taken that step towards holding themselves and each other accountable when it comes to technique, tumbling, conditioning, and being reliable as a partner in the room,” Lee said.
Fans are encouraged to come out and support the team in their final tournament of the season. Good luck to the Cowboys as they look to finish strong!