Content as he was to instruct and encourage during last season’s CHSAA Class 3A boys state championships from coaches’ chairs scattered about Ball Arena’s floor, Todd McMenimen knew that, when all was said and done, the Bayfield contingent was – more or less – departing far too early.
This year, he’s hoping for a late third night.
Entering 2022-23 with a small army, including two of last season’s four state qualifiers, the Wolverines will get things started in a major way Friday afternoon. Beginning inside BHS Gymnasium at 4 p.m., Bayfield will welcome Pine River Valley neighbor Ignacio, Intermountain League rival Pagosa Springs, and even Piedra Vista (New Mexico) for a varsity-level quad meet.
The Panthers boys tied for 17th at last season’s NMAA Class 5A State Championships (in-town rival Farmington captured the title), while PSHS placed 19th in Denver and BHS 24th. IHS closed out ’21-22 tying Olathe – whom Bayfield will visit for a Dec. 9 dual – for 32nd in Class 2A.
“It’s kind of nice to do it on a Friday, on opening weekend, and be able to see some of those other kids get out and wrestle,” McMenimen said. “And that allows us … on Saturday, we can take our girls and our JV and be able to be there for those guys as well. Lots of times we don’t have that opportunity because we’re in a tournament somewhere, the JV’s off somewhere else – and some of our coaches don’t get to go see some of that.”
With three assistants – Dusty Mars, Adam Mars and Jerry Sutherlin – on staff, the boss couldn’t help but beam about the fact he’s got, in terms of wrestlers, almost 10 times that many to develop.
“We’ve got a ton of freshmen out, and we’re sitting at about 28 kids right now – close to double what we’ve had the last few years,” McMenimen said. “Our numbers are as good as we’ve had; it’s really exciting to see.”
Leading the varsity lineup will be Keaton Pickering and Jordan Cundiff.
“Two juniors that were one match away from placing last year at state – Jordan at heavyweight and Keaton (113 pounds), who’ll probably be at 126 … for right now, anyways,” McMenimen said. “They know where they need to be; they missed the podium and that’s not going to happen this year.”
“Jordan’s going to surprise a lot of people; he opened some eyes up at state, but … his attitude toward things in the room is different. He’s more focused, and you can see there’s a hunger in him. Keaton, there’s not much you have to say about him; he’s always been right there and knows what he needs to do. I think the football season helped him a little bit; he gained a lot of confidence (by) starting all year, being one of the top tacklers – from the linebacker position – in the league.”
And speaking of football, Deegan Barnes returns for his final high school campaign on the mat, having placed an unlucky sixth at 152 pounds during the 3A-Region I Championships held in Gunnison at Western Colorado University.
“He’s going to be the No. 1 leader in the room, the only senior we’ve got on the boys’ side,” said McMenimen. “Deegan’s a good leader and will … rally the team and get things going – I expect him to be battling for the top podium spot when we get up to Denver, you know?”
“I know that’s his expectation as well; that’s where he sees himself this year. He’s made some improvements, really worked on his quickness and his power over the summer, and I can see it in the room already. We’re early into it, but it shows.”
Now-sophomore Hunter Mars nearly qualified for state last season at 106, but lost fourth place at Region I to Parachute Grand Valley’s Jaysen Skeen. Mars will go into his second wrestling season on a mission to make amends.
“Hunter … you wouldn’t have expected to see him starting out there at cornerback the entire season at a hundred … four pounds,” McMenimen said. “But there he was, and he had a good year out there; that opportunity to break through on the football field rolls right into and helps a lot with wrestling. He’s got a different confidence this year.”
On the girls’ side, Grace Patton returns along with newcomer Bailey Blouin.
“Grace came so far last year, from the first time she’d stepped on a mat … not wanting to even step out there – I pretty much had to force her to wrestle her first match,” recalled McMenimen. “By the end of the season there was such a change in how she carried herself, and she’s just improved on that. Hasn’t taken any steps back.”
“And Bailey, she’s an incoming freshman but she’s … done it for several years. She actually spent a week of her summer at CMU’s all-girl camp in Grand Junction, and she’s going to be one that’s really dedicated the next four years, I think.”
