MEEKER | With 25 wrestlers out for the Cowboy wrestling team, including 10 freshmen, Meeker head coach J.C. Watt, who is starting his eighth year at the helm, hopes to fill all 14 varsity weights this season, which opens in Grand Junction with the Maverick Duals, Saturday.
“We are excited to fill all of the weights, including several with younger kids, who will get a shot to be on varsity,” coach Watt said.
The Cowboys will be led by seniors Tannen Kennedy, James Amick, Zach McMann and Brayden Woodward.
“We are looking forward to all four of them providing leadership,” coach Watt said. “All four are hard workers.”
Kennedy, Amick and junior Ridge Williams, all return with state experience. Kennedy is a three-time state qualifier, placing fourth as a sophomore and he was a runner-up last year, while Amick placed sixth last year.
Juniors Charles Curry, Kesston Hobbs and Colby Shelton, along with sophomores Colby Clatterbaugh, Tucker Ercanbrack, Cooper Main, Dax Sheridan, Carter Strate and Jeremy Woodward will all return, most having wrestled varsity matches.
Freshmen will include Damon Dade, Ty Goedert, Owen Hannomen, Kaleb Nielsen, Parker Pontine, Dalton and Tyson Portwood, Trinden Powell, Rowdy Rosendahl and Kelton Turner and Reese Harvey has joined the team as a junior.
Carl Padilla and Tyrell Turner will again assist Watt with the coaching duties, along with volunteer assistants Dr. Trevor Grant and Brandon Grasmick.
“Our new coaches are great additions to our program,” coach Watt said.
Dr. Grant was a two-time state high school champion in Nevada and a three-time national qualifier and All-American for Colorado State University–Pueblo (not as incorrectly reported two weeks ago—I regret the error).
The varsity will wrestle five duals at Colorado Mesa University in the Maverick Duals and the JV will enter a tournament in Olathe.
“Last year was rebuilding year for us,” coach Watt said, of his team, which finished eighth in the state tournament. “Our upperclassmen should start getting rewards for their hard work.”
By Bobby Gutierrez | Special to the Herald Times
