MEEKER | Denver, Colorado. Ball Arena. The state wrestling tournament is one of the greatest spectacles in Colorado high school sports. As the ultimate culminating event, the success of the season depends entirely on the performance at state. This year 46 teams from 2A schools were represented, but in reality it was a two horse race between Meeker and Wray from the first whistle. The Cowboys ultimately finished in second place with 169.5 points, a mere 13.5 points behind Wray, and 50 points ahead of third place Mancos.
“Simply put, our young men did an outstanding job,” commented assistant coach Stryker Lane. Starting with junior Reed Goedert, who has not wrestled since middle school, had to take some lumps in his first high school season.
“He really stepped up for the Cowboys,” said Lane. “There were a lot of opportunities over the season for him to give up, and someone with a weaker constitution probably would have. We saw Reed figure out some of his abilities at regionals as he upset the number one seed. He brought the same intensity to the mat this weekend, but did not have enough experience to deal with the jump in the level of competition. We are proud of Reed and excited to see what he can do next year with a high school season under his belt.”
At 126 pounds, sophomore Clay Crawford “had the best tournament of his career,” commented Lane. He came into the tournament unseeded and ended up placing fifth.
“It was an important tournament for Crawford. He has a lot of ability, but he also does not have the same experience as a lot of his competition. He has been on the cusp of placing at these big tournaments many times, but has not quite been able to punch through and get on the podium until this weekend. Crawford showed a lot of heart and character as he battled his way through the consolation side of the bracket,” said Lane.
Crawford lost his first match by fall to the third ranked wrestler from Cedaredge. In order to place he had to win three consecutive matches.
“It was inspiring to watch, and Crawford seemed to grow stronger as he wrestled back,” said Lane.
Crawford started his comeback with a 8-3 decision over a ranked wrestler from Rocky
Ford. Next, he had the sixth ranked wrestler from Sedgwick County/Fleming, who he defeated in a dramatic 6-4 sudden victory decision. He then won a 10-2 major decision over a ranked
opponent from North Park, guaranteeing his spot on the podium. In the consolation semi-final he lost a 4-2 decision to the same Cedaredge opponent who pinned him in the first round. Finally, pinning the fifth ranked wrestler from Monte Vista to place fifth.
“Crawford did a fantastic job earning his state place title,” commented Lane.
Crawford scored 11 points for the team.
Senior Trae Kennedy completed his career by placing fourth and earning his third statemedal. Kennedy opened his final state tournament with a 19-2 technical fall. He followed that up with a first period pin over a ranked opponent from Byers. In the semi-final he lost 7-5 decision to the top ranked wrestler and eventual champion.
“Kennedy wrestles with a lot of heart in big matches,” said Lane.
In his semifinal Kennedy fell behind early, but battled back and was less than half a second away from completing a takedown to force overtime. He responded to this loss with a gutsy 3-2 decision in the consolation semi-final, before losing a heartbreaking 3-1 decision to the fourth ranked wrestler from Cedaredge for third and fourth.
“While the outcome may have been disappointing for Kennedy this year after making the finals last year, he has no reason to be disappointed in his effort,” said Lane. “His coaches are all proud of him. His presence will be missed in the Meeker High School wrestling room.”
Kennedy scored 15.5 points for the team.
Meeker’s first finalist of the tournament was 144 pound senior Abe Maupin. Maupin came to Meeker as a sophomore. He came out for wrestling, but did not finish the season. Last year he tried again and was a state qualifier, winning two matches. In his senior campaign, Maupin finished with a record of 38 wins to 9 losses and was the state runner-up.
“It may be the most improvement we have seen out of an athlete over their career,” Lane said.
At state, Maupin pinned his first two opponents, one of whom was ranked fifth in the state. In the semi-final he won an impressive 11-4 major decision over the fourth ranked wrestler from Dayspring Christian Academy.
Maupin lost by fall in the finals to one of the top 144 pounders in the state regardless of division.
“The Cowboy’s will miss Maupin’s highlight reel techniques and tumbling skills,” said Lane. “The room will not be the same without him.”
Maupin scored 22 points for the team.
At 157 pounds senior Connor Blunt placed third. Connor finished the season with a record of 38 wins and five losses.
“Connor’s performance at state proved that he is a special human being,” commented Lane.
After placing second last year, Connor was the favorite to win the state title all season. However, a week or two before regionals he suffered a shoulder injury that would bother him for the remainder of the season.
“He looked good in his first two bouts, picking up first period pins including one over a ranked opponent from Monte Vista,” said Lane. “In the semi-finals we saw that Connor’s shoulder may have been a bigger issue than he ever let on. It was the first time he had to wrestle someone who could match him physically, and it looked like it was causing him problems.”
Connor ended up losing that match after coming back from an early deficit.
“It can be difficult to come back from an injury,” Lane commented. “It is difficult to lose a match you believe you could have won, especially if that means you will not be able to achieve your dream. Connor handled these vicissitudes like the champion that he is.”
Connor pinned his next two opponents to place third in a heroic effort that kept Meeker in contention for the team title.
“Connor’s attitude, energy, and his willingness to mentor his younger teammates will be missed,” said Lane.
Connor scored 22 points for the team.
Sophomore Cade Blunt was the state runner-up at 165 pounds.
“Showing he is made of the same stuff as his older brother, Cade overcame a serious ankle injury in week six and made the state finals in his second tournament back from that injury,” commented Lane.
Cade pinned his first two opponents, an opponent that he pinned in the quarter finals would end up placing third. In The semi-final Cade defeated the fifth ranked wrestler from Mancos 8-3.
“In the finals Cade was wrestling exactly as planned against the top ranked wrestler from Crowley County,” commented Lane.
An unusual series of events would lead to the referee calling a controversial fall against Cade as time expired in the second period.
“Cade is a competitor though, and this loss will make him more hungry for the title the next two years,” said Lane. “We are excited to see him continue to improve and develop.”
Cade scored 22 points for the team.
In the biggest surprise of the tournament 175 pound sophomore Trevor Keys-Crooks placed sixth.
“It was not a surprise because Trevor lacked ability, it was just a statistical surprise,” commented Lane.
Crooks only had 13 wins over 25 varsity matches this season. He entered the tournament unranked and unseeded. After losing his first match to the second ranked Nucla wrestler, Crooks went on a winning spree. He pinned two of the three opponents necessary to place, and both pins were against ranked wrestlers. Crooks lost in the consolation semi-final to the same Nucla kid before losing to another ranked opponent in the fifth and sixth place match.
Crook’s effort was crucial to keeping Meeker within striking distance of Wray. The Cowboys had a chance at the team title that they would not have had without him.
“This performance should show Crooks that he is capable of wrestling competitively at a high level,” said Lane. “We are looking forward to seeing how he responds next season.”
Crooks scored 10 points for the team.
At 190 pounds, junior Brendan Clatterbaugh placed fifth. He pinned his opponent in the opening round before losing a 3-1 decision against the sixth ranked wrestler from Limon. Clatterbaugh would pin his next two opponents to put himself in the consolation semi-final and guarantee his third trip to the podium in three years. He would lose this match in a hard fought 7-4 decision to the top ranked wrestler from Wray who was upset in the semi-final. In the fifth and sixth place match he would pick up his fourth fall of the tournament.
“Clatterbaugh has been in one of the most competitive weight classes every year, and he always performs admirably,” commented Lane. “This year, each of the wrestlers who placed above him are seniors. He will come back next year ready to earn his state title.”
Clatterbaugh scored 17 points for the team.
Judd Harvey, the defending state champion at 215 pounds, has a winning streak against Colorado opponents that dates back to week six of the 2022 season, and it will continue into next season. Harvey won his second consecutive state title this weekend as a junior. He started the tournament with two consecutive first period pins. In the semi-final he defeated the second ranked wrestler from Wray in sudden victory.
“We have seen Harvey physically dominate many opponents over the last two years,” said Lane. “This was the first time we have seen him have to overcome a deficit to win. It was clear, even when Harvey was trailing, that he was not going to allow himself to be defeated. He simply outworked his opponent, wore him out, and beat him in overtime. It was an impressiv demonstration of mental fortitude.”
In the finals Harvey won an easy 7-2 decision.
“It was obvious that his opponent knew he could not compete with Harvey, and he just did not want to get beat too badly,” commented Lane. “Harvey will return as a senior ready to win a third state title.”
Harvey scored 26 points for the team.
At heavyweight, Tanner “Showtime” Musser took second. Musser finished his senior campaign with 41 wins, the most on the team, and only seven losses. He pinned his way into the finals at this year’s state tournament before being defeated by the three time state champion from Wiggins.
“Musser had an incredible season,” said Lane.
Musser pinned 28 opponents and his seven losses were only to four different opponents, all of whom were state finalists and three of whom were state champions.
“Musser has worked hard to earn everything he has achieved,” commented Lane. He has done a lot to mentor the next generation of Cowboy heavyweights. We could not be more proud of him.”
Musser scored 24 points for the team.
While the Cowboys came up a little short of their ultimate goal, the tournament was far from being a disappointment. They finished with nine state placers, tied for the most in school history. The 169.5 team points scored is the most Meeker High school has ever scored at the state tournament.
The kids work hard and gave maximum effort every time they step on the mat,” said Lane, “and it paid off this weekend. In the gut-check rounds and the consolation brackets we saw the grit and toughness of our kids reveal itself. We saw kids step up for the team. They gave us so much to be proud of and so much to look forward to. They are an inspiring group of young men. The future of Meeker High School wrestling remains bright.”
By TIFFANY JEHOREK – Special to the Herald Times
