The Rangely High School wrestling started their season at the Colorado Mesa University duals in Grand Junction this past weekend. The Panthers wrestled five duals on the day. First the Panthers wrestled the Rifle Bears winning the dual 42-24. Winning matches for the Panthers were Aydan Christian,Wyatt Stevens, Kobey Chism, Jaime Sanchez, Kasen LeBleu and Jaxon Torsell.
GAYLE ZIMMERMAN PHOTO
The second dual of the day was against No. 9 ranked Cedaredge Bruins. This was a very tough dual for Rangely with the Panthers only winning two matches. Kolby Olsen and Jaxon Torsell both won by pins. “We lost three matches which I believe if we see them again there would be a different outcome,” said head coach Jeff LeBleu. The final score of the dual was 72-12.
Next up for the Panthers was the No. 2 ranked Meeker Cowboys, once again a very tough dual for the Panthers. Winning matches were Aydan Christian and Kobey Chism. Jaime Sanchez and Izaiah Moody both won by forfeits. Final score of the dual was 60-24.
GAYLE ZIMMERMAN PHOTO
Next up for the Panthers was the Montrose Indians, once again a tough dual for Rangely. Winning matches for the Panthers were Aydan Christian, Kobey Chism and Kasen LeBleu all by pins. Colton Stevens and Jaxon Torsell lost very close matches.
The final dual of the day was against Cortez, winning matches for the Panthers were Kobey Chism, Izaiah Moody, Kasen LeBleu and Jaxon Torsell all by pins. Winning by forfeits were Aydan Christian, Landon Carlson and Colton Stevens. Rangely won the dual 42-35.
“All in all I am pleased on how we wrestled on the day, we were paired up with some very tough competition. I am pleased. We have a lot to keep working on and see if we can improve, that’s all I ask of this team is we need to keep improving each week,” head coach LeBleu said.
GAYLE ZIMMERMAN PHOTO
This Friday and Saturday the Panthers will be in Soroco for duals and a tournament, times to be announced. LeBleu, returning to the head coach position this year, thanks the “Panther faithful” for coming out to support the team in Grand Junction and offered a special thanks to Meeker Head Coach J.C. Watt for his assistance. Michael Chism is assistant coach for the Panther wrestlers this year.
Special to the Herald Times
