The Cowboys are sending 11 wrestlers to the 2024 Colorado State High School Activities Association State Wrestling Tournament at Denver’s Ball Arena this weekend after a very successful regional showing in La Junta, Colorado, last weekend.
Meeker showed up to the Class 2A Region 3 Tournament ready to represent the Western Slope. They scored 265 points, took first place, and won head coach JC Watt his first-ever regional tournament. North Fork placed second with 229 points and Rocky Ford, the longtime dominant team in Region 3, placed a distant third with 190.5 points.
Coy Richardson, Tanner Goodwin, and Dawson Richardson finished their seasons in La Junta.
“Coy, Tanner and Dawson had good seasons and were all very close to qualifying,” commented Watt. “They wrestled a level up this weekend.”
Holton Harvey at 106 pounds qualified for state after placing third.
”Holton wrestled well, and we only had him for half a season due to injury,” said Watt.
Reed Goedert qualified at 113 pounds for his second year after taking second.
“He can beat the kid that defeated him in the finals,” commented Watt, “Reed has beat him before, he wrestled tough and had three tough kids in his bracket.”
Koy Weber wrestled 120 pounds and as a freshman, this is his first time competing at the state level.
“This was a great tournament for Koy, he never gave up, kept fighting, was mentally very tough, and has a killer cradle,” said Watt.
Clay Crawford had one of the toughest brackets in the tournament and took second to the number one ranked wrestler in the state.
“Clay wrestled well and ran into a returning state champ that is really tough and just wasn’t able to win,” commented Watt. “He will be on the opposite side of the bracket from the kid that beat in the finals.”
Tristin Rollins took fourth at 150 pounds beating a tough kid from Rocky Ford, as a sophomore this will be his first time to state.”
“Tristin won some matches and looked good doing it and just a week before he was on JV,” commented Watt.
Orion Musser is the second freshman to qualify for state. At 157 pounds he wrestled for true fourth.
“It is mentally so tough to wrestle for true fourth,” said Watt, “you just lose a match and have to turn around to defend your spot for going to state. Both of our freshmen wrestled so well and we are excited he is our second freshman.”
Jake Blazon is one of two seniors making their first trip to the state tournament after placing second at regionals.
“Jake had wrestled tough, just got caught,” commented Watt, “he has beat the kid before and I believe he will do it again.”
Cade Blunt, Buzz Clatterbaugh, Judd Harvey and Noah LeBlanc pinned their way through the regional tournament.
“This was a good warm-up for the state tournament,” said Watt. “Cade and Noah had tough kids in the finals and got it done. Buzz and Judd are just better than most kids they wrestle, they are physically large and that is very intimidating.”
Clatterbaugh and Harvey had all first-period pins and a perfect regional.
The Cowboys look towards the individual and team title races this weekend beginning Thursday at 12 p.m. in Denver.
