Dove Creeks wrestling team doesnt shy away from competition.
Going into Thursday nights road dual meet with the 4A Durango Demons, the Bulldogs were 6-1 as a team, mostly against bigger schools.
Dove Creek faced coach Shane Baughmans Alma mater at Durango High School. But four early pins by a veteran Demons squad allowed them to hold off the Bulldogs, 44-29.
I dont know what happened, but we didnt wrestle good last night, Shane Baughman said. The day before our tournament, maybe we were overlooking them, I dont know. There was no excuse for they way they performed. It was just an awful performance.
Bulldogs Chance Randolph, Tyler Ladner, Dillon Daves, Alex Ogas and Wyatt Applin were pinned by Dillon Anthony, Christian Stadler, Gabe Crawford, Dakota Sutherlin and Lucas Sinnig at 120, 145, 152, 160 and 170 pounds.
Tyler Ebberts lost a hard fought 9-6 decision to Justin Ngo of Durango.
Dove Creek senior Chance Johnson (8-0) remained unbeaten at 182 pounds with a win by forfeit. Austin Carter and Jared Galyean also won by forfeit at 195 and 220 pounds.
Juniors Dalton Randolph and Cole Baughman scored wins by decision at 138 and 126 pounds. Randolph outlasted Demons wrestler Nick Tarpley, 15-9. Cole Baughman, who is now 7-1, went three rounds with Clay Dillon, winning 7-2.
Both of them got out-hustled, Cole got taken out of his game plan, so did Dalton. Neither match needed to be as close as it was, Shane Baughman said. I think sometimes, they think they can beat anyone easy. But credit to Durango. They had their kids ready to go and our kids werent. Theyre definitely a tough team. Maybe it was a good thing this happened. It kind of woke us up a bit. It showed us some things we need to do different. Its early in the season. We need to get some things corrected.
Dove Creek went 4-1 in duals at the Bayfield Wolverine Classic last Saturday to take second-place as a team. The Bulldogs won 58-18 and 49-24 over 2A San Juan Basin League foes Dolores and Ignacio. Dove Creek then beat 3A Pagosa Springs, 45-26, and 4A Montezuma-Cortez, 56-12, before falling to 4A tournament champion Piedra Vista (Farmington, N.M.), 47-21.
Johnson was 5-0 in the tournament at 182 pounds, while Cole Baughman went 4-1 at 126 pounds. He lost a heartbreaking 8-7 decision to three-time Colorado state champion Alex Pena of Ignacio. Cole Baughman led 7-3 in the match.
Dove Creek will host its 13-team Dawg Fight tournament today at 9:30 a.m. in the Dove Creek High School Gym.
Travelling teams on the Dawg Fight slate include, Dolores, Ignacio, Nucla, Norwood, Del Norte, Utahs San Juan (Blanding) and Monticello, and New Mexicos Aztec, Farmington (varsity and junior varsity) and Kirtland Central (varsity and JV).
Monticello, they have some really tough kids. I hope last night woke our kids up a little bit. They know they have to take one match at a time, and be physically and mentally prepared for each match, Shane Baughman said. Mentally, I think is why some of our kids arent as good right now. Monticello is tough, Farmington is tough, and several teams from our league are there that are going to be tough.
Applin will not wrestle today with a hip injury and Chris Terpstra remains sidelined at 106 pounds.