The GHS wrestling team opened its winter season this weekend, taking on Olathe in an away duel, and competing in the Wolverine Classic Tournament in Bayfield. The Cowboy grapplers returned to the mats in red hot form. Both the girls and boys teams defeated Olathe and placed high in the tournament.
“It was exciting for our kids to compete against other teams for a change,” said Head Coach Mike Seijo. “They went out there and let it fly. Of course there are a few things we need to work on, but they went out there ready to scrap.”
The Cowboy wrestlers faced their first test against Olathe on Dec. 6. On the boys side, junior Aydan Sunderlin opened the scoring with a pin in the 165-lbs division. A flurry of Olathe forfeits gifted victories to freshman Lincoln Hemmert, and upperclassmen Damyon Funk and Malchijah Perez. Junior Cody Casebolt returned to the mats after his impressive football season, and won by decision in the 126-lbs division.
Brock Fry added crucial points for the Cowboys late in the contest. The senior pinned a Pirate in the 138-lbs bracket, and tied up the score 30-30 with one bout remaining. Zach Benson stepped onto the mats with the weight of the team on his shoulders. But the sophomore remained calm and focused, and pinned his opponent to seal the Cowboy victory.
The girls maintained the team momentum as senior Isabelle Crown earned a pin in the 105-lbs class. Vika Odud opened her varsity campaign in shining form. The freshman won by decision in the 125-lbs match. Junior Evelyn Cope also opened her season on a positive note, and pinned a Pirate in the 130-lbs division. GHS all-star Roxie Uhrig returned to the winners circle in the 140-lbs class. The girls team defeated the Pirates 30-27.
Uhrig’s dominance continued into the Wolverine Classic on Dec. 7. The sophomore defeated four opponents to book her spot in the championship bout against Lucy Porter of Bayfield. Uhrig outscored Porter 20-3, and earned a technical fall to be crowned champion in the 140-lbs bracket.
For the boys, Benson again shined for the Cowboys. The sophomore defeated Reese Appenzeller of Bayfield to claim first place in the 138-lbs class. Fry, Casebolt and Funk each finished second. Freshman Hemmert also placed second in his opening varsity tournament, only falling in the championship round. Collectively, the GHS boys side placed third in the tournament.
“We’ve created a culture where there’s a lot of wrestling going on at younger levels,” Seijo said. “We’re starting to see that translate over with guys like Lincoln stepping out there, and ready to go right away.”
The GHS wrestlers will open their home campaign against Centauri on Dec. 12 at 5 p.m.
(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@gunnisontimes.com.)
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