MEEKER | In an exciting week of competition, the Cowboys divided forces, sending eight wrestlers to
the Top of the Rockies in Lafayette, Colorado, and 13 wrestlers to the Fight at the Fork in Hotchkiss, Colorado. Meeker placed eighth at the Top of the Rockies, scoring 95 team points. The Cowboys finished in 10th place with 71 points.
In Lafayette, assistant coach Stryker Lane said, “The Cowboys were strong out of the gate with seven out of the eight winning their first match.”
Sophomore Cade Blunt at 165 pounds was winning in his opening bout when he sustained an injury that prevented him from finishing the match and the tournament.
At 126 Clay Crawford won his first match over a ranked opponent from Broomfield. He lost his second match to Pomona’s fourth ranked wrestler, and he lost his last match to the fifth ranked wrestler from Pueblo East.
“Trae Kennedy (132) overcame an illness to pick up a solid win against a ranked opponent
from Broomfield and a pin over his Pueblo East competitor,” said Lane. “His two losses came in hard fought matches against ranked opponents from Grandview and Legacy.”
At 144 pounds Abe Maupin, “wrestled a very tough tournament,” commented Lane. In his opening match he avenged a loss from earlier in the season against a ranked opponent from Brush. He also pinned an opponent from Brush before defeating the top ranked wrestler from Erie, Colorado. His losses were to the top ranked Strasburg wrestler, who won the tournament, and a two point decision to the second ranked Rocky Ford competitor.
Connor Blunt placed second at 157 pounds. He opened his tournament with a pin against
his opponent from Brighton. He then won a 6-4 decision over the fourth ranked wrestler from
Pueblo East opponent, before pinning his eighth ranked opponent from Boulder in the semi finals. His finals match against the top ranked 5A wrestler from Pomona went into overtime where he was unable to get the victory.
“Many people described the match as the most exciting finals match of the tournament,” said Lane.
Brendan Clatterbaugh “looked good in his first tournament since the Warrior Classic in
week three,” commented Lane. He picked up two pins and a solid 6-0 decision against a ranked opponent from 5A’s Chaparral. His losses were to the top ranked 5A wrestler from Ponderosa in a hard fought 4-3 decision, and to the 6th ranked Adam City wrestler.
Judd Harvey placed second. He pinned his first two opponents, one of whom was the fifth
ranked 4A wrestler from Thompson Valley. He defeated the third ranked opponent in the semi
finals, but unfortunately sustained an injury that prevented him from competing in the finals.
“Judd has not lost a contested match to a Colorado opponent this season,” commented Lane, “his return to wrestling is eagerly anticipated.”
Tanner Musser placed fourth at heavyweight. He won five matches this weekend, three by pin
and two by decision. One of his pins came over a ranked opponent from 5A’s Monarch High.
Both of his decisions were against ranked opponents, one from Thomas Jefferson in 4A and one from 5A’s Centaurus High. Both of his losses were to the same competitor from Pomona who is ranked fifth.
“It was a very productive tournament for the Cowboys,” said Lane. “They were able to see some new competition, and wrestle in tough matches that will prepare them for the state tournament.”
Preparing for regionals and state was the rationale behind splitting the team up this week.
“The Fight at the Fork provided certain wrestlers with the opportunity to earn some seeding criteria for the regional tournament,” commented Lane. “It is a good Western Slope tournament with many teams from the western region present.”
At 106 Dillon Hobbs wrestled with the “high level of effort and energy he is known for, but was unable to come away with a win in the A bracket,” said Lane.
Holton Harvey won the B bracket with three pins.
Skylar Browning wrestled hard at 113 pounds, but was unable to get a win. “The varsity competition will help him improve his skills and intensity,” commented Lane.
Bow Muxlow was able to pin his opponent from Olathe at 120 pounds. “A good win over a regional opponent,” commented Lane.
Zeek Gianinetti placed third in the combined 120/126 B bracket. He pinned four opponents this weekend.
Moving to the 126 A bracket, Coy Richardson pinned an opponent from Merino.
In the 138 B bracket Tanner Goodwin placed third and Tristan Rollins placed sixth. They picked up four pins between the two of them. At 157 Jake Blazon pinned two opponents, but fell short of placing.
Trevor Keys won one match at 165 pounds.
“The big guys performed very well at the Fight,” said Lane.
Hayden Shults took first place pinning his way through the tournament, and Noah LeBlanc placed second, pinning three opponents on his way to the finals. Shults and LeBlanc scored 54 team points between the two of them.
“It was a very productive weekend across the board,” commented Lane. “The Cowboys made significant improvements and are positioning themselves for the final push to state.”
The next competition will be against Palisade in the first home action of the year Thursday, followed by the Grand Valley Great 8 Dual tournament on Saturday in Parachute, Colorado.
“Connor Blunt was this weekend’s top performer, placing second at the Top of the Rockies
and taking the number one ranked 5A wrestler into overtime” said Lane. “Connor is looking ready to win state, with a couple adjustments to his game he will be unstoppable.”
Fun Facts and Stats
1. Tanner Musser joined the 100 wins club, congratulations Tanner
2. The Cowboys upped their varsity pins total to 161
3. The Cowboys have won 63 percent of their varsity matches this season.
By Tiffany Jehorek | Special to the Herald Times
