Grapplers earn top-5 result

Newcomers lead the way at IHS’ second stop

With only three squad members available to make the long trip to Grand Junction, to compete Saturday, Dec. 7 at the season-opening Maverick Duals at Colorado Mesa University, there wasn’t a whole lot of hope for marked success.

But with four – of a reported six in camp – ready to go one week later to the bracket-style 2019 Dove Creek ‘Dawg Fight,’ drawing multiple teams with similar numbers, expectations of Ignacio Wrestling were much higher.

So, too, were the results.

“After the Dual … at Mesa, I’m really proud of all of them,” stated head coach Jordan Larsen. “For it being a small tournament, it was a good first ‘tournament.’ And for what we had, I thought we performed very well.”

Leading the way for the Bobcats, who amassed a fifth-place 54 team points, was young Keaton McCoy.

Giving a confident wink to mat-side photographers after receiving his medal, the freshman polished off a 5-0 run through the 126-pounders’ bracket with a first-period pin – his fourth stick during the tourney – of 4A Durango’s Chris McGrath.

“Against decent competition, it’s a good confidence-booster I think,” Larsen said. “Keaton’s a freshman – made it to Mid-School State last year – and he’s got a lot of technique. Just got to iron out some ‘habits,’ figure out what high-school wrestling’s all about … and he’s doing a great job. He wrestled smarter today than he did all last weekend.”

Sophomore Tyler Barnes took second at 160, losing twice to DHS’ Tyler Woodworth – the second time, with first place at stake, via pin with 0:08 left in the third and final regulation two-minute period – but still going 3-2 on the day.

“In what I considered the toughest weight of the tournament,” stated Larsen, “the guy wrestled his butt off.”

Pinned five times, sophomore Jeremy Roderick, who went 3-2 up at CMU  –  still placed sixth at 220.

“Didn’t have the best day, match-wise, but he’s doing a lot of things that are going to lead to success,” Larsen said.

Fortunately, the skipper says just about the same of newcomer Dante Sandman.

After a first-round loss to DCHS’ Caden Baker, the eventual champion at 132, the senior finished much like a champ by pinning his next four foes and securing second place with a first-period stick of 3A Blanding, Utah, San Juan’s Eoin Kaer.

“Dante … came from Newcomb – wrestled at Newcomb two years ago – then transferred into Ignacio last year,” explained Larsen. “Wasn’t able to wrestle … but he’s out this year and is a great addition to the team.”

And undoubtedly with high expectations for himself as well; though unable to compete as a ’Cat last winter, a sophomore Sandman had been one of six Skyhawks qualifying for the 2018 New Mexico Activities Association Class A-4A State Championships, following his District 1/3 Championships third-place finish at 138 pounds.

Ignacio was to next host a triangular against Del Norte and 2A San Juan Basin League rivals Dolores at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, but results were unavailable at press time. IHS will then get 2020 underway Jan. 4 in Bayfield at the La Plata County Duals, facing the 3A Wolverines plus the Durango Demons, then travel on the 9th to SJBL’ers Mancos for a 6 p.m. dual.

And with all SJBL teams but Norwood-Nucla attending the Dawg Fight, the Bobcats’ standing – just two points behind the meet-hosting Bulldogs – was encouraging to the boss.

“It’s just a good group; I’m super-stoked,” said Larsen.

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