RANGELY | The Panther wrestling team ended the 2018 part of the wrestling season competing in a tournament in West Grand (Kremmling) and they will now break for Christmas while preparing for the 2019 portion of the season.
“We are going into the break, knowing we have a lot to work on but we will be going into the new year with a lot of positives,” Rangely head coach J.C. Chumacero said.
One positive is the way Tytus Coombs has been wrestling. For a second week in a row the Rangely junior has won his bracket. Also for a second week in a row, Coombs has wrestled his freshman teammate Zane Varner in the championship match.
“Unfortunately, the two young men had to meet in the finals again for what should be the last time this season,” coach Chumacero said. “All wrestlers must follow a weight loss program to ensure their safety and the two will be able to split up after Christmas break with the two-pound allowance.
Coombs is currently undefeated and will start the new year with an 8-0 record, while Varner will start 2019 at 11-5, with two of his losses, given to him by his teammate.
Junior Dalton Dembowski (195) and freshman Dontea Pearce (170) both finished fourth in their respective weights, each winning two matches and losing two in the one-day tournament.
Junior Del Garner (182), freshman Brent Cantrell (160) and Braxton Moore (106) did not place in Kremmling. Panther teammates Justin Rusher, Anthony Garner and Byron Mackay did not compete because of illness.
“The competition will only get more difficult from here, so I expect us to continue to work hard and push to our ultimate goal of making it to the Big Show,” coach Chumacero said.
By BOBBY GUTIERREZ | Special to the Herald Times
