DC wrestlers crush Shiprock

DC wrestlers crush Shiprock

Jan. 19, 2002

BY JIM THOMAS
Journal Sports Editor

Dolores County High School’s varsity wrestling team was hoping for a competitive dual Thursday night, Jan. 17, at Dolores High School Gym. After all, Shiprock, N.M., has a good program and has some good wrestlers. But a case of ringworm going through the team all but wiped out the lower weights for the Chieftains (forfeited the first four weights). The Bulldogs won easily 57-15.

"It certainly wasn’t what I was hoping for," DCHS head coach Shane Baughman commented. "Shiprock has a good team. I was hoping for a good dual but that didn’t happen."

Dove Creek’s Trinity Cressler, at 130 pounds, was the first wrestler to take the mat. He won a thrilling match in overtime 6-4 over Isaac Torres. Torres had defeated Cressler twice earlier in the season by narrow margins but this time Cressler won.

Randy Curtis had no problems with J. Edcitty of Shiprock in the 135-pound weight class. Curtis took control early and won by pin in 1 minute, 47 seconds. Brennan Banks, 140, lost a 6-12 decision to his Shiprock opponent.

Vern Hassell has looked impressive lately. He pinned H. Peshlakai in 50 seconds at 145. Shiprock won by forfeit at 152. The Chiefs also won by forfeit at 160.

Dove Creek’s Kyle Krafka took the mat at 171. He pinned his Shiprock opponent in 50 seconds. Bulldog Bru Meyer was bumped up in weight to compete at 215 after both teams double forfeited 189. Meyer, a first-year grappler, pinned Larry Tully in 1:59. James Smith of DCHS also was bumped up in weight to 275. He pinned Kee Begay in 1:59.

Several of DCHS’s varsity wrestlers competed in exhibition matches. Kyle Riddell, Matt Beanland, Casey Spitzer, and Hassell all won by pins over some Durango JV wrestlers. Several DCHS JV wrestlers won including David Hannay, Zach Larimore, and Eddie Halper.

"For the whole evening, we wrestled in 19 matches and we won 16 of them. So, for us, it turned out to be a good night of wrestling. I thought everybody did a good job," Baughman remarked.

The Bulldogs will join other San Juan Basin League-mates at the Grand County Invitational in Moab, Utah, all day this Saturday, Jan. 26. Dolores, Mancos, Norwood, and Nucla will be there plus several others from the area.

Montezuma-Cortez High School wrestlers will compete this Saturday at the Mullen Tournament in Denver.