Competing at home for the final time this season, the Dove Creek High School wrestling team defeated Grand County High School (Moab), 40-9. The Bulldogs won three of the five live matches and notched four forfeit wins.
“We wrestled real well,” said Dove Creek head coach Shane Baughman. “I was expecting a little more from Moab. They had a couple of kids who were sick, and they had a few open weights. “
Shane Baughman said that every Dove Creek wrestler who competed moved up one weight class in hopes of receiving better competition.
In the 113-pound match, Bulldogs junior Collin Hobbs earned a technical fall victory (16-1) over Gage Longley.
“Collin started out a little slow, but then he caught his stride and took off,” said Shane Baughman.
At 132 pounds, junior Case Baughman earned a pin victory over Andrew Hugentobler.
“Case faced their toughest kid and just went out there and looked good,” said Shane Baughman. “He’s improving every week, and I think that last week’s match with (Paonia’s three-time state champ) Jesse Reed boosted his confidence.”
In the 145-pound match, Dove Creek senior Chance Randolph earned a technical fall victory (17-2) over Qordale Tsosie.
“He just manhandled him from the get-go,” said Shane Baughman.
Rounding out Dove Creek’s wrestlers were 138-pound freshman Derek Kibel and 152-pound sophomore Rojelio Keedah, who lost to Robert Allred and Anthony Denton, respectively.
“(Derek) was a little outmuscled, and he got outhustled at the end,” said Shane Baughman. “He hasn’t been to too many practices in the last few weeks, and it showed with his conditioning. (Rojelio) is just young and still getting experience.”
Next up for the Bulldogs will be a tournament in Ignacio on Jan. 31.
“I think it’s going to be a pretty tough tournament, but no matter where it is that we go, we have three or four kids who can be on the podium,” Shane Baughman said.