Wintry weather couldn't keep 15 different schools and 16 total teams from traveling to Pagosa Springs Saturday, Jan. 12, for the Rocky Mountain Invitational. After action on all mats had ceased, Ignacio - competing without senior Dustin Sanchez - stood 11th with 48 total points.
Leading the way for Jordan Larsen's crew was junior heavyweight Randy Herrera, who earned a team-best third in his division. After a first-round "bye," Herreram lost to sophomore Lorkett Jacobi of 4A Silver City, N.M. He recovered to stick 4A Aztec junior Ty Ashley 1:57 into the first and earn his podium position.
Reclassified this winter after winning the NMAA Class 5A State Championship this past February, Aztec earned third as a team, piling up 218.5 points, while Silver City scored second with 230.5. The meet-hosting Pirates - ranked #2 in On The Mat's initial 3A poll - prevailed with 237.
Senior 138-pounder Skieler Grooms - ranked #10 in 2A beginning the New Year - went 1-2 for the 'Cats and placed fourth after an 8-5 loss to PSHS sophomore Cam Hinger.
Beginning the season schedule's second half billed ninth at 195, junior Cesar Pedregon and senior 126-pounder Hunter Robbins each earned sixth-place status. Pedregon finished 2-2 after a 9-2 loss to Aztec's Caleb Varzeas, while Robbins was 3-2 after an 11-3 major-decision loss to 1A Monticello's Matt Beh.
Junior 182-pounder Clay Campbell went 1-2 but took home seventh place after a forfeit win over 2A La Jara Centauri junior Daniel Chavez. Freshman Tyler Barnes finished 1-3 at 145 and placed eighth after falling 9-2 to 4A Kirtland Central's Zakk Thomas.
Freshmen Jeremy Roderick (220), Isaac Welker (113) and Shawn Campbell (132) each went 0-2.
Weather permitting, the grapplers will next journey east to Florence for the loaded Jan. 18-19, 2019, Mel Smith Husky Invitational. Difficulty will remain at a high degree the following weekend, as the squad will travel to Paonia's ever-competitive Screaming Eagle Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 26.
2019 ROCKY MOUNTAIN INVITATIONAL STANDINGS: 1.Pagosa Springs 237, 2.Silver City (N.M.) Silver 230.5, 3.Aztec (N.M.) 218.5, 4.Monticello (UT) 162, 5.BAYFIELD 123.5, 6.La Jara Centauri 102, 7.Bloomfield (N.M.) 99, 8.Kirtland (N.M.) Central 90, 9.Monte Vista 65, 10.Denver Sheridan 60, 11.IGNACIO 48, 12.Pagosa Springs '2' 39, 13.Pueblo Central 28, 14.Sanford 23, 15.Mancos 11, 16.Dolores 7.
2019 ROCKY MOUNTAIN INVITATIONAL CHAMPIONS: 106-Brenden Olsen, Silver; 113-Vince Marin, Silver; 120-Alexxander Vigil, Sheridan; 126-Christian Robison, Aztec; 132-Zeke Marquez, Silver; 138-Cody Candelaria, Aztec; 145-Cameron Lucero, Pagosa Springs; 152-Luke Whitley, Bloomfield; 160-Michael Aguirre, Silver; 170-Nathaniel Lucero, Silver; 182-Connor Aragon, Pagosa Springs; 195-Caleb Janowsky, Pagosa Springs; 220-DANIEL WESTBROOK, BAYFIELD; Hwt-Lorkett Jacobi, Silver.
