Opening its season at the Maverick Duals in Grand Junction on Dec. 6, the Montezuma-Cortez High School wrestling team defeated Cedaredge, Grand Valley and Meeker. The Panthers lost to Paonia and Olathe.
“I think we did well for our first outing, but there was some stuff that we have to work on,” said M-CHS head coach Shad Bellmire. “Paonia put a beat down on us, and that shouldn’t have happened. The duals gave us a chance to see where we’re at.”
Among the most successful Panthers grapplers in Grand Junction was 152-pound senior Justice Ramos, who finished the day with a 5-0 record. Three of Ramos’ wins came by pin.
“Justice wrestled tough,” said M-CHS head coach Shad Bellmire. “He’s dealing with being a little banged up, but he never threw in the towel.”
Also wrestling well for the Panthers was senior defending state champion Seager Oliver, who, making his debut in the 182-pound division, finished 4-1. Highlighting Oliver’s day was a victory over Meeker’s two-time defending Class 3A champion TJ Shelton. Oliver’s loss came to Olathe’s Chayden Harris, a returning state qualifier who did not place at the state tournament last season.
“(Seager) got caught, and that can happen,” said Bellmire. “Everyone in the gym was surprised, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.”
Other standout wrestlers for M-CHS included 106-pounder Colton Reynolds, who finished 4-1, and 132-pounder Levi Gross, who finished 4-1.
Andrew Finch finished 3-2 at 160 pounds, Dakota Tycksen finished 3-2 at 126 pounds and Josh Ramos finished 3-2 at 138 pounds.
“It was nice to fill almost all of the weights and win some duals,” said Bellmire. “It has been a long time since we’ve been able to do that.”
Next up for the Panthers will be the Tiger Duals, which will take place in Grand Junction on Dec. 13.