Coming off several tough early season practices, members the Dove Creek High School and Dolores High School wrestling teams took to the mats during the Dawg Fight Invitational tournament in Dove Creek on Dec. 14 and performed well.
Baker leads the way for the BulldogsSetting the tone for a Dove Creek team that will be much improved this season was Caden Baker, who picked up victories over Ignacio’s Dante Sandman, Del Norte’s Garrett Mondragon, San Juan’s Eoin Kaer, Bayfield’s Xander Hovenstine and Durango’s Anna Newman in route to a title in the 132-pound division.
Also cracking the top three in their respective weight divisions for Dove Creek were Quaden Huffaker, who won four of his five matches and finished third in the 106-pound division, and Dustin Glover, who won three of his five matches and finished third overall in the 126-pound division.
Other Dove Creek wrestlers who picked up wins included Isiah Martinez, who finished 3-2 in the 106-pound division; Jaqulyn Dennison, who finished 1-3 in the 106-pound division; Jessy Gore, who finished 2-3 in the 106-pound division; Jayden Sanders, who finished 1-3 in the 138-pound division; and Will McKellips, who finished 1-3 in the 182-pound division.
Jasmine Martinez, Shyrae Dennison and Will McKellips also competed for Dove Creek, and although all three wrestlers flashed potential and had their moments, none picked up wins.
Dove Creek finished fourth in the team standings of the 10-team meet, which was won by Bayfield High School.
Escarcega paces young Bears team
Leading the way for a young Dolores was senior Bryan Escarcega, who won matches over Del Norte’s Diego Heredia, Ignacio’s Jeremy Roderick, Shiprock’s Cudia Tihe and Whitehorse’s Rex Harvey in route to a second-place finish in the 220-pound division. Escarcega’s only loss came to Bayfield High School’s John Foutz.
Also picking up victories for the Bears was Levi Fuller, who won two of his three matches overall and placed fourth in the tournament’s 152-pound division.
Akima Edwards, Caleb Montoya and Kolby Burt also competed for Dolores, which placed 10th in the team standings of the ten-team tournament.
