It’s back to work for the local wrestling teams.
After a three-week hiatus for the holidays, Mancos and Dove Creek looked to build on a promising start to the season with the resumption of competition in Pagosa Springs and Gunnison.
The Bluejays took on perennial state powers Centauri and Pagosa Springs, along with a talented Bloomfield, New Mexico, squad and finished fourth in the Rocky Mountain Wrestling tournament, hosted by the Pirates.
Six Bluejays appeared in the top four in their weight divisions, as junior Ayden Mathews (160) joined defending state champion Levi Martin (126) with runner-up finishes in their events. Mathews improved to 19-2 on the season, while Martin also only has two blemishes on his record (18-2).
Sophomore Dillon Eichner took third at 106, and junior Lane Greenlee also earned the bronze in the 182 division. Cole Dainty-Guilfoyle (170) and Isaiah Martinez (113) rounded out top-four finishes for the Jays, earning fourth place in their respective weight divisions.
Headlining the weekend in the Gunnison Cowboys tournament, Dove Creek sophomore Tyson Beanland competed at 145 pounds the Dogs. Beanland fell only once all day, taking second place in the classification.
Teammates Dustin Glover (3-2) and Frankey Montoya (2-3) posted victories for head coach Colten Huskey's squad but finished off the podium. Jaydon Bailey and Dakota Litton both took to the mat for Dove Creek, but also found challenges against the talented field.
The Bulldogs travel to Norwood in their upcoming competition, while Mancos gets set for the Durango Duals and a trip to Hotchkiss over the middle part of January.
