RANGELY | The Rangely Panther wrestling team were very busy last weekend. On Thursday the Panthers hosted a very tough Duchesne Eagles team. The Panthers only won one match on the mat and that was Aydan Christian. Kasen LeBleu and Jaxon Torsell won by forfeits. Athletic director Kyle Boydstun found the team two duals in Nucla for Friday. The first dual of the night was against Ignacio.
“The Panthers didn’t wrestle as well as we thought they could have. We still won the dual 39-24,” said head coach Jeff LeBleu. Winning for the Panthers were Christian, Wyatt Stevens, Landon Carlson and Kobey Chism. Winning by forfeits were Izaiah Moody, LeBleu and Jaxon Torsell. The next dual of the night was against Nucla. the Panthers won the dual 48-14.
On Saturday the Panthers competed in the Norwood Maverick Tournament. Torsell led the way for the Panthers, being crowned the lone champion. Christian and LeBleu were runners-up. Olsen placed third, Carlson fourth, Stevens and Moody fifth. Wrestling but not placing were Jaime Sanchez and Colin Zadra.
“We held Kobey Chism out of the tournament due to illness, he has been wrestling but not at full strength, so it was decided to set him out. Colton Stevens also did not participate in the tournament due to a knee injury. I think the team really stepped it up after we had a little heart to heart talk Friday after the duals, We are pleased with Saturday’s effort from the team,” coach LeBleu said.
This week the Panthers travel to North Fork and will have a dual on Friday against Merino, and on Saturday compete in the Fight at the Fork tournament.
“This will be a very tough tournament, as this will be where we will see most of our regional opponents. Thanks to all of those who traveled and supported us and again, Dave Jordan, ‘YOU DA MAN’,” added LeBleu.
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