Above, head coach JC Watt instructs Bow Muxlow on technique. MHS varsity wrestlers will travel to Grand Junction for the Colorado Mesa University duals this Saturday, while JV heads to Olathe for a competitive tournament. | TIFFANY JEHOREK PHOTO
MEEKER I Cowboy wrestling will take to the mats this weekend in what appears to be a “schedule almost back to normal,” according to head coach JC Watt.
This year, five seniors return to the Cowboy wrestling team that is 26 strong. Ty Goedert, Kelton Turner, Trinden Powell, Owen Hannemann, and Rowdy Rosendahl lead the team as they look forward to their first varsity and JV matches this weekend.
Coach Watt is joined again this year by Carl Padilla, Tyrell Turner, Trevor Grant, Justin Grant, Kurt Blunt, and Stryker Lane.
In preseason rankings the Cowboys hold places in seven of the 14 weights and are returning a strong team. Trae Kennedy is ranked number seven at 120 pounds, Goedert is ranked number five at 138 pounds, Connor Blunt is ranked number three at 160 pounds, Turner is ranked number two at 170 pounds, Branden Clatterbagh is ranked number six at 182 pounds, Judd Harvey is ranked number four at 220 pounds and Tanner Musser is ranked number eight at 285 pounds.
“We should have all 14 weights filled this year when we head to regionals,” commented Watt.
Colorado High School Sports Athletic Association changed how they organize the regional tournaments and this year the Cowboys will be traveling to Del Norte for their regional tournament with Centauri and Crowley County as the other major ranked opponents. Centauri is coming off of a 2020 state championship in wrestling and a 2021 state football championship, and will be the toughest of opponents. Coach Watt has not yet won a regional tournament but has led the team to a star championship.
This week Cowboy varsity will travel to Grand Junction as they will compete in the Colorado Mesa University duals on Saturday and the JV will be in Olathe at a very competitive tournament.
Special to the Herald Times
