Cortez wrestlers take fourth at Rifle

Cortez wrestlers take fourth at Rifle

January 31, 2002

STAFF REPORT

RIFLE — Montezuma-Cortez High School’s varsity wrestling team is making a comeback of sorts.

After dropping a decision to Durango in a Southwestern League dual last week, the Panthers came back strong to place fourth at the Rifle Invitational this past Saturday, Jan. 26. Host Rifle won the tournament while Palisade came in second.

First-year MCHS head coach Karl McGee reported his team had some outstanding individual performances during the day. He said that several of his wrestlers were back competing after not being on the mat against the Demons for various reasons.

The Panthers got an oustanding individual performance from Lyle Benally, who won the 119-pound class with a 5-0 record. Benally got some revenge of sorts when he beat Palisade’s Howie Tate in the finals. It was Tate who defeated Benally at Regionals at year ago who sent Benally home while Tate went on to State.

Tyler Gray, one of the top 130-pounders in Colorado, pinned the no. 2 ranked wrestler (Palisade) to win the finals.

Cody Dennison, 103, is back after an illness and came in third with a 4-1 record. Ryan Meany, 112, captured fourth place with a 3-2 mark.

Jared Sanders, 135, came in fourth with a 3-2 record on the day. Travis Spruell, 140, came in third with a 4-1 mark.

The Panthers will return to SWL dual competition by visiting always-tough Montrose at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, and then they will travel to face Grand Junction High in a dual at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 2. They will return home to host league-mates Central of Grand Junction at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8 and Fruita-Monument at noon Saturday, Feb. 9, in Ron Wright Memorial Gym.