Senior Pena IHS’ sole champion

Senior Mike Perez pushed into, and then ultimately prevailing in an extra period by, of all possible foes, teammate Timmy Plehinger in what had to be the tournament’s highest-scoring clash.

Senior Iaasic Peña showing – and utilizing – knowledge of one of the classical Six Simple Machines, using his own head as a fulcrum and his extended, rigid body as a lever with which to pry 4A Bloomfield, New Mexico’s Jacob Spencer (beneath whom his head had been wedged) off the mat and into a near-pin predicament.

Senior Josh Gallegos later educating, “Animal Planet”-style, Farmington, N.M., Piedra Vista JV heavyweight Justin Smith on the without-warning nuances of a crocodile’s ‘death roll,’ and surprising himself with the unexpected move’s success at getting the 5A-level Panther stuck on his back.

And, of course, head coach Cody Haga and assistant Jordan Larsen recognizing and presenting one Dixie Melton to the athletes, mentors (including former Ignacio boss Bob Overturf, now at 3A Cedaredge) and fans within SunUte Community Center – and Melton herself a commemorative floral bouquet amidst proper applause.

Indeed, there was no bad seat in the house to witness the works of IHS competing at the Saturday, January 31, 2015 Butch Melton Memorial Invitational, declared by Haga over the p.a. microphone to be the 44th edition of the Bobcats’ annual event (renamed in 2010 for the late Ignacio coach).

And led by Peña’s 11-6 defeat of Spencer in the 152-pound division’s finale, the Cats totaled 85 points to match PVHS’ score and tie for fourth place out of twelve attending teams. 4A Bloomfield, N.M., amassed a winning 156.5, 3A Pagosa Springs was second with 125, and 3A Bayfield took third with 87.

Also making the first-place phase individually for IHS were Stocker Robbins and Ethan Appenzeller, but neither managed to close the deal. Robbins lost the 113-pounders’ title 9-5 to Bloomfield’s Corbin Nelson, and Appenzeller was pinned one minute, one-tenth of a second into the third period of the 138 finale by 2A Dove Creek’s Chance Randolph.

Bayfield 145-pounder Colter McMenimen and Bloomfield 160-pounder J.D. Robinson were named the Invitational’s Outstanding Lower, and Upper Weight Wrestler respectively.

Results from the Bobcats’ trip to Mancos for the Feb. 5 San Juan Basin League Championships were unavailable by the Drum’s deadline. The 2A-Region I Championships then follow on the 13th and 14th at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, with Ignacio one of 15 teams slated to compete.

2015 MELTON TEAM STANDINGS

1. Bloomfield (NM) 156.5, 2. Pagosa Springs 125, 3. Bayfield 87, T-4. IGNACIO and Farmington (NM) Piedra Vista JV 85, 6. Durango 74.5, 7. Dove Creek 64.5, 8. Cedaredge 64, 9. Monticello (UT) 58.5, 10. Dolores 37, 11. Rangely 22, 12. Mancos 6.

2015 MELTON CHAMPIONS

106 – Brandon Ward, Dolores; 113 – Corbin Nelson, Bloomfield; 120 – Matthew Lavengood, Durango; 126 – Ryan Nava, Bayfield; 132 – Chance Wheankee, Monticello; 138 – Chance Randolph, Dove Creek; 145 – Colter McMenimen, Bayfield; 152 – IAASIC PENA, IGNACIO; 160 – J.D. Robinson, Bloomfield; 170 – David McRee, Pagosa Springs; 182 – Patrick Cunnion, Durango; 195 – Alonzo Hernandez, Pagosa Springs; 220 – David DeHerrera, Bloomfield; Hwt – Sam Westbrook, Bayfield.