MEEKER | The Meeker High School girls wrestling team opened its second season with a landmark performance, capturing the team title at the Soroco tournament over the weekend. Ten wrestlers made the trip as the Cowboys continued building on the foundation established during last year’s inaugural season.
Sophomore Abigail Amick and senior Emma Ford led Meeker with first-place finishes.
Amick, competing at 190 pounds, went undefeated in her round-robin bracket, closing her day with a first-period pin over North Fork’s Cassie Sparks at 1:21. Ford, wrestling at 135, advanced through her bracket and defeated Middle Park’s Bazil St. Germain by fall in the opening period of the finals.
For Ford, the win marked a meaningful start to her senior season. “It was definitely a mix of emotions,” she said. “On one hand, I was excited…”
She added that her top position and breakdowns felt the strongest in Soroco, though she aims to improve her hand-fighting and bottom work ahead of the upcoming duals and Montrose tournament. “Ensuring that wherever I end up in a match, I can win that position,” she said.
As a returning state qualifier, Ford said her approach has evolved. “This year, it seems I approach matches with more of a mindset of practicing and refining the technique I already know, whereas last year it was more about learning the technique from square one,” she said.
She also noted the team’s overall growth: “The team is overall more confident and light-years ahead of where we were last year mentally and physically. Having more experience amongst all of the girls has also fostered an environment where we can not only work to better ourselves, but also each other.”
Amick reflected on her own success and growth at Soroco. A key part of her performance came from studying opponents in her weight class and learning common moves she would see. Moving up in size from last year meant facing bigger, stronger wrestlers, so she focused on recognizing patterns and figuring out the best ways to counter them. The strong start also helped ease her nerves for the rest of the season. She said she felt improvement in her takedowns and establishing ties and hopes to gain even more knowledge and experience at the upcoming Montrose tournament, regardless of the outcomes.
Senior Hayden Garcia (155), junior Ruth LeBlanc (170) and freshman Jenna Pelloni (125) each earned runner-up finishes. Senior Gracie Varner of Rangely placed third at 145, joined by sophomore Ellie Ford (155) and freshman Maite Camargo (110). Freshman Adailin Valenzuela finished sixth at 105.
Meeker’s 120 points secured the first team tournament championship in program history.
Head coach Barny LeBlanc said he was proud of the progress the girls have made and grateful for how far the young program has come. The tournament also revealed key areas to refine going forward. “It exposed some of the holes we have in our technique and gave us things to work on this week,” he said.
Ruth LeBlanc said the season opener strengthened her confidence and highlighted important lessons.
“Some of the biggest takeaways I had this weekend were just confidence and that it’s not losing, it’s learning,” she said. “I’m excited to continue this season and keep gaining confidence because it makes a huge difference.”
Her focus going forward includes improving patience in her attacks and sharpening her wrestling IQ. “Learning how to be patient in getting to my shots and setting them up correctly without rushing, and also being dominant in my hand fight,” she said.
She added that the team victory set a strong tone: “Starting the season with a team win was amazing… it helped us all feel more confident, knowing that we get to represent Meeker.”
As Meeker prepares for a triangular dual at North Fork on Dec. 12, followed by the Montrose tournament on Dec. 13, Coach LeBlanc anticipates tougher challenges.
“North Fork has a great team,” he said, adding that duals require strategic preparation. Montrose, he noted, typically draws strong programs—an opportunity for the Cowboys to build on strengths and expose weaknesses that still need work.
LeBlanc said early-season benchmarks include conditioning, weekly improvement and progress toward individual goals. He also thanked the RBC Fairgrounds and facilities director Nick Smith and staff for use of the Exhibit Hall, calling the consistent practice space a major benefit to the program.
The Cowboys now turn their attention to a triangular dual at North Fork on Dec. 12 and a tough Montrose tournament the next day. With the foundation of a first-place finish already behind them, Meeker heads into the week intent on proving that its early success is only the beginning.
Back row, from left: Coach Noah LeBlanc, Coach Barny LeBlanc, Coach Ben Quinn. Middle row, from left: Coach Clea Steerman, Lorelei Davis, Jenna Pelloni, Ruth LeBlanc, Abigail Amick, Ellie Ford, Maite Camargo. Front row, from left: Emma Ford, Gracie Varner, Hayden Garcia and Coach Steven Gianinetti gather around the first-place trophy, holding up ones after winning the Soroco tournament.