For most wrestlers, the season-ending climb to the state tournament at the Denver Coliseum begins this weekend. Some grapplers will start tonight against Ignacio High School in non-league action, beginning with Bayfield versus 2A Rangely at 6 p.m. at SunUte Communicy Center.
Wolverine senior Colter McMenimen, however, seems to have the Mile High City moment already in sight.
The 145-pounder powered his way to the Page, Ariz., Sand Devil Classic title last Saturday, helping the Wolverines place 10th out of 24 at the two-day gathering.
McMenimen went 4-for-4, including a 10-1 major decision over 2A Dolores' Guy Wallace to complete his first-place title.
Bayfield put up 117 points. Thirty of the Wolverines' pints were courtesy of McMenimen, but there was plenty of help led by freshman Garrett Beebe's 22-and third-place result at 106 pounds.
An outstanding 5-1 at the tournament, Beebe capped his trip with a victory over Flagstaff's Tyrel Yazzie.
Young Jake Sandrey brought home fourth place at 113 pounds and finished with a 3-2 mark. And 152-pounder Cash Snooks also ended up fourth, his 4-2 record finalized by a 10-3 loss to Flagstaff's Corbin Felsted-Praet. The BHS pair combined for 36.5 points.
Wrestling at 160 and earning the squad 10 points, Marquis Mashak went 3-2 but did not place. Nor did heavyweight Sam Westbrook (2-2, five points), Cody Speece (2-2, 6.5) at 120 and Jake Jensen (2-2, seven) at 138.
Following tonight's BHS-RHS battle, IHS will face Rangeley at about 6:45 and the Bobcats will then go head-to-head with the Wolverines at about 7:30 to conclude the triangular.
Tomorrow's Butch Melton Invitational, Ignacio's big tournament of the season and a tribute to the former IHS wrestling coach and athletic director, begins at 9:30 a.m. at SunUte.
