This season, Bulldogs wrestlers will look to build on their program’s rich history, and though team championships are unlikely, success on the part of individuals is expected.
“Team-wise, we won’t be in anything, but we’ve got several individuals who will have quite a bit of success,” said Bulldogs head coach Shane Baughman. “We have some good individuals coming back.”
Figuring to lead the Bulldogs this season will be senior Chance Randolph, who finished second in the Class 2A State Tournament last season. Planning to again wrestle at 132 pounds, Randolph said that he hopes to duplicate last year’s success and lead this year’s team.
“I want to take it one match at a time and make it to state again,” said Randolph. “I try to be a good role model in practice.”
Also looking to return to the state tournament will be junior Case Baughman, who placed fifth at the Class 2A State Tournament last year. Back at 126 pounds this season, Baughman is hoping to once again make an impact.
“My goal going into the season is to take it one match at a time,” said Baughman. “Hopefully by the time the state tournament roles around, I’ll at least make the state final this year.”
Other grapplers looking to make an impact for the Bulldogs include 113-pound junior Colin Hobbs and 106-pound freshman Rhett Quackenbush. Shane Baughman said that both individuals are capable of qualifying for state.
“Colin just missed state last year and (Quackenbush) is a strong kid who had some real good success in middle school,” said Baughman.
Rounding out the Dove Creek’s varsity roster will be 120-pound sophomore Donavan Trudeau, 138-pound freshman Derek Kibel and senior Tyler Knuckles, who will compete at either 182-pounds or 195-pounds.
Rojeillo Keedah and Maureen Bartley will begin the season wrestling for Dove Creek’s junior varsity team.
As always, the Bulldogs will wrestle a brutally difficult schedule that includes tournaments in Moab, Farmington, Ignacio, Paonia, Vernal, Utah, and Winslow, Ariz. Shane Baughman hopes that the tough schedule will prepare his team for this year’s Class 2A State Tournament, which will feature several new teams.
“(The 2A Classification) has vastly improved,” Shane Baughman said. “Centauri, Hotchkiss, Buena Vista, Monte Vista and Cedaredge are all down to Class 2A. (CHSAA) loaded our division with schools that were some of the best in Class 3A last year.”
Dove Creek will open the season at the Moab Tournament, Dec. 5-6, before opening its home schedule on Dec. 12 with a dual against Del Norte.