BOBBY GUTIERREZ PHOTO
MEEKER | Cowboy senior Tannen Kennedy became the winningest wrestler in Meeker High School history when he won his 145th varsity match of his high school career last Saturday, in front of his hometown fans in the Meeker Duals, the final matches of the 2019 regular season.
“Tannen shows up everyday,” Meeker head coach J.C. Watt said of his senior standout. “He shows up everyday, works hard and because of that, he has won a lot of matches, he’s just a hard worker.”
Kennedy, who is currently 2A’s No. 1 ranked 145-pounder, broke former teammate and state champion Sheridan Harvey’s record of 143 high school varsity wins, with a pin against Olathe’s Clay Yarnell, currently ranked No. 3 in 3A at 145.
The Cowboys wrestled and beat Glenwood Springs, Soroco and the Palisade Bulldogs but lost to the eventual Meeker Duals champion Olathe, to finish third as a team.
Kennedy and classmate James Amick won all of their matches in the Meeker Duals, while Charles Curry (126), Dax Sheridan (152) and Colby Clatterbaugh (170), all won three matches, while Kesston Hobbs (182), won two. Damon Dade (120) and Brayden Woodard both pinned an opponent. Ty Goedert (106), Kaleb Nielsen (113), Dalton Portwood and Reese Harvey (285) all wrestled at least one match in the duals but did not get a win. Ridge Williams did not wrestle a match but did receive a couple of forfeits. Williams is expected to wrestle 220 this weekend.
“We went 3-1 and stayed relatively healthy,” coach Watt said of the Meeker Duals. “We had a couple of kids improve from the last couple of weeks. We will do our best to wrestle well this weekend.
Kennedy and the Cowboys will compete in the state-qualifying regional tournament, which starts Friday in Montrose at 4 p.m. The top four wrestlers in each weight will qualify for the 2019 Colorado State Wrestling Championship, also know as the “Big Show,” in downtown Denver, inside the Pepsi Center.
“They have worked hard all year, now it’s time to cash in on that,” coach Watt said.
By Bobby Gutierrez | Special to the Herald Times
