SJBL All-Conference named

SJBL All-Conference named

Feb. 24, 2001

Riddell receives high honor

KYLE RIDDELL OF DOLORES COUNTY High School stands on the top rung of the awards podium after winning the Class 2A 103-pound weight bracket at the recently-held 66th annual Colorado High School Wrestling Championships in the Pepsi Center in Denver. Riddell was named to the San Juan Basin League All-Conference First Team today.

BY JIM THOMAS
Journal Sports Editor

The San Juan Basin League All-Conference teams were announced today, Feb. 24, by the league coaches.

It doesn’t come too much of a surprise that Mancos High School dominated both the First Team and Honorable Mention lists. The Blue Jays captured third place in Class 2A at the Colorado High School Wrestling Championships held in the Pepsi Center in Denver Feb. 8-10. Mancos powered its way up the standings, finishing only behind second-place Arkon and two-time defending champ Wiggins, thanks to a first by Jeremiah Muniz at 130-pounds, seconds by Scott Koppenhafer (135) and Philip Wilson (160) and a fourth by Anthony Mestas (112) and a sixth by Vince Bazile (103).

Dolores County’s Kyle Riddell, who won the State title at 103, was honored at the weight. Riddell, incidentally finished with a record of 37-10 (it was wrong in the program), according to DCHS head coach Shane Baughman. Mestas was honored at 112. Casey Spitzer, who finished as runner-up from Dove Creek, was named at 119. Rob Garvey of Nucla was chosen at 125. Mancos grapplers Muniz, Koppenhafer, and Mike Montoya all followed at 130, 135, and 140, respectively.

Chancy Marolf of Norwood was honored at 145, Jeremy Spor of Norwood at 152 and Sabin Mock of Nucla at 160. Autumn Boss came in next at 171, Jason Mock of Nucla at 189, Thomas Steveson of Nucla at 215, and Derek Thompson of Dolores at heavyweight. Thompson was another local State champ.

The San Juan Basin League coaches also named a full Honorable Mention team as well. Again several Mancos High School wrestlers were on that team.

Vince Bazile of Mancos was chosen at 103, Matt Beanland of Dove Creek at 112, and Daniel Wilson of Mancos at 119 rounded out the lighter weights. Two Dove Creek wrestlers came in at 125 and 130 in Trinity Cressler and Randy Curtis, respectively. Zane Wilson of Norwood was honored at 135 while Shawn Everett of Dolores was chosen at 140. Three more MHS wrestlers came in at 145, 152 and 160 in Kelly Mitchell, Jakob Tallent, and Wilson.

Rounding out the heavier weights were Casey Garvin of Dolores at 171, Brandon Alexander of Norwood at 189, Tyler Hicks of Dolores at 215, and Fred Spor of Norwood at 275.

Garvey was named Wrestler of the Year while Travis Bryant was chosen Coach of the Year.