Panthers ready for regionals

RANGELY I Five Rangely wrestlers, including three with state experience will compete in the state qualifying regional tournament this weekend and their coach is expecting big things from his small crew.
“I believe everyone of them can qualify,” head coach Derek Stolworthy said.
Rangely sophomore Lucas Heinle, who placed sixth in the Colorado State Wrestling Championships last year will wrestle in the 138-pound bracket and freshman Ethan Allred will make his first attempt at qualifying at 145.
“No one works harder in practice than Ethan and he’s just a freshman but in a tough weight,” Stolworthy said of his only freshman.
Colton Coombs, a junior also qualified last year and Stolworthy is hoping he does it again this weekend in the 152-pound division.
Senior Jake Smith is currently ranked No. 5 at 170 by On the Mat Rankings and hopes to qualifying for the state tournament for the first time this weekend.
Panther senior Patrick Brown hopes to qualify for the state tournament for a second year in a row in the heavyweight division.
“Patrick worked all summer long and I’m seeing some good things from him,” Stolworthy said of his heavyweight.
The first round will start at 6 p.m. Friday at Grand Junction Central High School and start at 10 a.m. Saturday morning.