For the Dove Creek High School wrestling team, the Pete and Ina Gomez Invitational in Walsenburg on Dec. 16 served as a learning experience.

Leading the way for Dove Creek’s five wrestlers was 120-pounder Rhette Quackenbush, who finished fourth overall after winning four of his five matches. The Dove Creek senior opened the tournament by pinning Miami-Yoder’s Chelsea Garcia before being pinned by Sierra Grande/Centennial’s Alejandro Valasquez.

Quackenbush went on to pin Colorado Springs Christian School’s Johan Barstad, Sargent’s Ethan Gearhard and Pueblo Central’s Josh Atencio to finish the tournament.

Other Dove Creek wrestlers competing included 113-pounder Larissa Randolph, 113-pounder Gage Bailey, 145-pounder Logan Meyers and 152-pounder Will McKellips, who all lost both of their matches.

The Bulldogs finished 22nd in the 27-team tournament, which was won by Lamar High School

Next up for Dove Creek will be the Pagosa Springs Invitational, which will take place in Pagosa Springs on Jan. 6.