IGNACIO – With the championship portion of the season on the horizon for Montezuma‑Cortez High School, Dolores, Dove Creek and Mancos wrestlers, there is nothing like a big shot in the arm to lift the team into the home stretch.
The Butch Melton Invitational, hosted by Ignacio on Saturday, provided just what the doctor ordered. Dolores used its incredible depth across all weight classes to capture fourth in the 17‑team field, while Montezuma‑Cortez High School added a ninth‑place team performance in the boys field, and the Panthers girls team took seventh in their competition. In addition to the strong team finishes, a total of eight athletes placed in the top three of their respective weight classes at the meet.
Dolores earned a pair of meet champions, with Kenji Edwards taking first in the 132‑pound division after rolling to a 5‑0 record on the day. Mason Hill also added a top billing by taking care of all five opponents he faced en route to a position atop the podium in the 138‑pound division. River Wickstrom took third in the 157‑pound division with a 4‑1 record, while Daniel Jacket matched the feat with a 4‑1 record at 215 pounds.
For M‑CHS, Rusty Snyder bested the field in the 144‑pound division, closing out the top spot with a thrilling 13‑12 decision over Monticello’s John Leber in the championship match, capping a five‑match winning day for the Panthers senior and surpassing the 30‑win mark in his final season with the orange‑and‑black. Teagun Samora also made the championship match in his division before dropping his lone match of the tournament to finish runner‑up in the 120‑pound weight class. Orion Martineau posted a strong day, taking fourth place after a 3‑2 finish to his weekend.
Dove Creek’s Keaton Banks finished 4‑1 in the 106‑pound division to lead the small Bulldogs contingent in Ignacio, while Mancos’ Jonah Ritter took sixth after a pair of match wins in the 157‑pound division.
In the girls competition, M‑CHS sophomore CeJae Snyder led the way for the Panthers with the top spot in the 115‑pound weight class, posting a perfect 4‑0 record. Reese Wing collected a pair of wins to earn third at 155 pounds in her strongest showing of the season, while Jaime Helm posted a win and a fourth‑place finish in the 110‑pound division.
M‑CHS prepares for a home dual with Pagosa Springs on Jan. 29 before the main event on Saturday, when the Panthers will host a sizable field for the Panther Invitational inside The Jungle. Thursday night’s action will also include a showcase of youth wrestling, as the Southwest Hammers will face the Colorado Crush and Stout Wrestling Academy wrestling clubs as part of a full evening showcase of local wrestling. The action begins at 5 p.m. with the Southwest Hammers on the mat, followed by the Panthers and Pirates meeting at 6 p.m.
