TIFFANY JEHOREK PHOTO
MEEKER | Tannen Kennedy has settled into his new weight class, as the Cowboy senior dominated the 145-pound bracket in Eagle Valley last Saturday in the first competition of 2019. Five other Cowboys placed in Eagle Valley, helping the team finish eighth, with the host team winning the team title. The Cowboys will wrestle in Grand Valley tonight at 6 p.m., then compete in the Tournament of Champions in Vernal, Utah, starting Friday at 2:30 p.m.
“Eagle Valley, like other tournaments has bigger schools, giving us better competition,” Meeker head coach J. C. Watt said of the field of more than 20 teams, most from the Western Slope.
Kennedy, who won his first Warrior Classic title before the Christmas break, remains undefeated in 18 matches, after dominating his competitors, the first by technical fall (more than 15 points), then two pins, including one in the championship match.
“Tannen worked out over break and he wrestled well Saturday,” Wattsaid of his senior, who is on a quest to win a state championship this year.
Coach Watt said Colby Clatterbaugh (170) and senior James Amick (182) both “wrestled well” and both finished as consolation champs in their respective brackets.
“James had a tough weight,” coach Watt said.
Kesston Hobbs finished fifth in Amick’s bracket and Jeremy Woodward placed fourth in the 160- pound bracket, which also featured his brother Brayden.
Ridge Williams was the only other Cowboy to wrestle in the championship match and the Meeker junior finished second in the 195-pound bracket.
Eagle Valley ran a JV tournament in its auxiliary gym and Meeker heavyweight Reese Harvey placed third and Carter Strate placed fourth.
Meeker will dual the Cardinals tonight in Grand Valley, then enter the Tournament of Champions, Friday in Vernal.
“The Tournament of Champions is another tough tournament, where our kids will get a lot of matches,” coach Watt said.
By BOBBY GUTIERREZ | Special to the Herald Times
