Panthers dominate at CMU wrestling duals

RANGELY I The Rangely Panther wrestling team is ready for yet another season. This year the team consists of six underclassmen and six seniors: freshmen Aydan Christian (113), Landon Carlson (120), and Izaiah Moody (132); sophomore Kobey Chism (132); juniors Colton Stevens (126) and Kasen LeBleu (220); seniors Joseph Adams (145), Alex Black (160), and this year’s seniors completing their fourth season are Braxton Moore (145), Zane Varner (152), Brent Cantrell (182) and Byron Mackay (HWT). Unable to compete this year due to injury is Jaxon Torsell, although he is still very much a part of our team and wrestling family. 

This year’s coaching staff consists of head coach JC Chumacero, assistant coach Michael Dillon, and Jeff LeBleu. The Panther wrestling team opened up their season at the CMU Duals, competing against a total of five different teams. The Panthers started off with two very difficult draws, facing off against Palisade (4A) and Rifle (3A). 

“As a team we lost both of these duals but we wrestled extremely competitive and I was proud considering these were our first two matches of the year for these young men. The Panthers were able to bounce back the next two duals defeating Ignacio 53-18 and a close one to Battle Mountain 42-36. We ended the day facing off against the newly founded North Fork, Paonia and Hotchkiss combined. We lost our last dual of the day,” said Chumacero.

Colton Stevens, Izaiah Moody and Kasen LeBleu came up short of wins this weekend. Moody wrestled up in his weight class, giving up about eight pounds to his competitors. 

“This really showed his heart and how much he wanted to help his team, we hope to be able to get him into the weight class of 132 next weekend where he belongs,” Chumacero said, adding that Stevens and LeBleu also  wrestled tough matches. “We need to get them both believing in themselves mentally,” Chumacero said. 

Landon Carlson and Brent Cantrell were both able to secure their first wins of the season. Carlson (1-2) not only got his first win of the season, but also his first win of his high school career. Cantrell (1-4) wrestled well but is another one who needs to start believing in his abilities. Aydan Christian also got his first high school wins going 2-1 on the day. 

“He wrestled tough and has an attitude on the mat. He and Carlson are freshmen and have a lot to learn, but I am very excited to see what their future brings.”

 Kobey Chism went 2-1 on the day. “He wrestled really smart and hard all day. His loss was a really close match that was partially to blame on me because of a questionable decision.”

Braxton Moore went 2-3 on the day also wrestling tough. There is always improvement to be made, but he has a lot of heart. Zane Varner and Alex Black impressed this weekend both going 4-1. “This is the by far the best tournament Black has wrestled. He didn’t start wrestling until his sophomore year, so it is really pretty amazing how fast he has learned and improved in the sport,” Chumacero said.

Varner dominated all day. His last match of the day was a rematch from last year against a young man he had beaten twice. “We lost a close one to him, but I am confident we will come back to beat him when it matters most.” 

Byron Mackay started his first weekend undefeated going 3-0. “He looked solid and confident. He was ready to wrestle and it showed. I am very proud of how all the young men wrestled this weekend and I cant wait to see what the rest of the year brings,” Chumacero said. The Panthers will compete in Soroco this weekend. 

Special to the Herald Times