The two Bayfield High School wrestlers that made it past pool play of the Moon Valley Tournament placed Saturday in Moon Valley, Ariz.

Colter McMenimen finished in first place in the 138-pound division, going 8-0 across the two-day tournament. He defeated a defending state champion from Corona Del Sol High School (Tempe, Ariz.) 9-5.

“He gave up the first takedown and never hesitated for the rest of the match,” BHS head coach Todd McMenimen said of his son and returning Colorado Class 3A state qualifier.

Ryan Nava finished sixth at 120 pounds at 5-3 in his first-ever high school varsity tournament.

“He’s got a lot of potential,” coach McMenimen said.

The Wolverines traveled to the 32-team tournament, which was filled with Class 5A schools from Arizona, in search of an abundance of matches for their young squad.

“In some cases, we were definitely overwhelmed,” coach McMenimen said. “But the only way to gain that experience is mat time.”

Bayfield will return to the mat against league foe Monte Vista on Jan. 9 at home.

“In the three meets we have so far, there’s been a tremendous amount of growth,” coach McMenimen said. “The effort’s there; the technique we can teach them.”

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