Local wrestling teams opened the tournament season over the weekend, and had some early success in the process.
Durango High School’s team overcame a number of forfeits to go 3-4 at the Flagstaff Tournament. Tristan Martinez led the way for the Demons with a second-place finish in the 132-pound weight class. Martinez lost to a defending Arizona state champion in the finals and was 7-2 overall on the weekend.
Also finishing at 7-2 was junior 182-pounder Caleb McMunn, while Jordan Belt placed fifth at 145.
DHS senior Cameron Jacobs took fourth-place at 138 and Zane Gillen was sixth in the heavyweight division.
“Overall, it was a really good start for us,” Durango head coach Leo Garand said in a phone interview with The Durango Herald. “Last year we had one wrestler place in this tournament, and this year we had five, so we’re definitely heading in the right direction.”
Durango will be back on the mats Tuesday at DHS against Bloomfield, and it’ll be a special night for Demons past and present. The DHS wrestling alumni night will take place, and it was a hit last year as seven generations of Durango wrestlers showed up to support the Demons.
“I’m big on building off the storied past we have here at Durango High School,” Garand said. “This used to be a prominent program, and we’re trying to get back to that level of wrestling. I’d say, after watching them over the weekend, that we’re on the right track.”
Ignacio’s wrestlers were at the Mesa Duals with many contenders they’ll see throughout the season.
IHS veterans Ethan Appenzeller and Lorenzo Pena were undefeated for the shorthanded squad. There were some positive performances from a couple of underclassmen who got their first ever wins on the wrestling mat.
Freshmen Cesar Pedregon and Cesar Thompson had their arms raised as victors and head coach Jordan Larson was impressed.
“It’s always good to see guys get their first wins because it not easy to do,” Larson said.
“I think we did alright overall for this early in the season. We saw Palisade, Paonia, Cortez and a few other teams that’ll be there down the road. It was good just to see where we stack up.”
jfries@durangoherald.com
