At this point of the season, mat time and individual results matter more than dual scores to Durango High School head wrestling coach John Gurule.
The Demons lost 45-35 at Aztec on Tuesday despite giving up three forfeits and only gaining one.
DHS gave up the 170-pound, 220-pound and 132-pound weight classes, but Patrick Cunnion won by forfeit at 182 pounds.
“I would always like to get the dual win, but for my boys to get mat time, you look for the individual matchups and try to get them wins. Team score comes second,” Gurule said. “We’re trying to get as many kids qualified for state as possible.”
Aztec’s Austin Littlefield pinned Durango’s Austin Counts to start the match at 138 pounds, but Cole Gustavson got a pin back for DHS at 145 pounds against Dominic Dufur.
Kaleb McMunn stepped up to 152 pounds for the Demons, pinning Alex Neel.
“He helped us out tremendously,” Gurule said.
Aztec’s Ethan Reimers (160) won against Fernando Garcia with a pin in the first period.
Orion Israel (195) also pinned Durango’s Zayne Gillen.
The pins continued for Aztec at 285 pounds, as Justin Slavey took down Durango’s Tony Vasquez in the first period.
Durango’s Cameron Jacobs lost a 7-0 decision to Dawson Show at 106 pounds.
Tristan Martinez got the Demons back on the board at 113 pounds by pinning Ruben Teasyatwho.
Matthew Lavengood continued his comeback from injury for DHS with an 18-2 technical fall victory over Brandon Trennepohl at 120 pounds.
Hunter Hall closed out Durango’s matches for the evening with a pin of Acea Murch at 126 pounds.
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