CORTEZ – For Montezuma‑Cortez wrestling head coach Ryan Daves, the final week of January checked a number of boxes.
With regionals approaching in two weeks, the Panthers aimed to make the most of their last chances to sharpen skills, build momentum and improve regional seedings. Saturday’s Four Corners Throwdown inside The Jungle at M‑CHS also offered fans an opportunity to see the region’s strong wrestling talent.
The Panthers earned three top finishes and collected 105 points to place second behind Bayfield’s 106.5.
For the second time in three days, Montezuma‑Cortez wrestled at home after a Thursday dual against Pagosa Springs, an event that also included matches from the Southwest Hammers youth club.
“The program continues to be looking up, we’ve got a lot of middle schoolers and peewee wrestlers that are coming up,” Daves said. He added that the development pipeline keeps him optimistic about both the current roster and what’s coming next.
Two of the Panthers’ three returning state qualifiers won their weight classes. Senior Bodie Stiegelmeyer went 5‑0 to move to 21‑6 at 113 pounds. Classmate Rusty Snyder, at 150 pounds, defeated four opponents to come within two wins of 40 this season and earned his second straight tournament title.
Junior Teagun Samora, pursuing his first state berth, picked up his 30th win of the year during a 3‑0 day to reach 31‑13 at 120 pounds. Daves said Samora continues to gain confidence after a competitive effort last week against defending state champion Cash Martinez of Cedaredge.
“Even though Teagun lost that match (Tech fall at 5:52), both Teagun and I felt that he wrestled really well,” Daves said.
Ja’Kobe Begay placed second at 215 pounds, and Orion Martineau matched that finish at 157 pounds. Keaton Curleyhair, a 2025 state qualifier, finished third after a .500 day. Nicholas Martinez (106 pounds), Cash Rogers (138 pounds) and Zebulun LeBlanc (175 pounds) each added a win.
“We’ve got some really tough kids,” Daves said, noting that both the boys and girls programs include multiple state hopefuls. “The younger kids are really starting to pick things up, too, learning the grit of a six‑minute match and learning the mental side of the sport.”
Low numbers led to the cancellation of the girls division at the Throwdown, but Daves said the switch didn’t diminish the team’s confidence entering the postseason.
“We’re excited for regionals – you never know what can happen – but we feel like we’re looking good.”
Montezuma‑Cortez will host one more dual against Centauri before the boys travel to Delta for the 3A regional tournament. The girls compete in the 4A regional at North Fork the weekend of Feb. 13-14.
The DHS wrestling team brought its full group of 12 athletes to Cortez, and head coach Ben Doss’ squad turned in a steady performance for third place.
Junior River Wickstrom (157 pounds) and sophomore Daniel Jacket (215 pounds) earned individual titles.
JJ Robson (106 pounds), Tanner Trammel (113 pounds), Adam Hicks (120 pounds), Bodie Fischer (132 pounds), Mason Hill (138 pounds), Darrin Hicks (150 pounds) and Kale Gates (175 pounds) each delivered multi‑win outings to help DHS finish with 97.5 points.
The Bears’ progress positions them well heading into the San Juan Basin League schedule. They hope to leverage their roster depth at the SJBL League Duals in Nucla on Thursday, Feb. 5.
DHS will join Mancos and Dove Creek in the 2A Region 1 tournament in Cedaredge on Feb. 13–14. Wrestlers who place in the top four qualify for the state tournament at Ball Arena the weekend of Feb. 19–21.
