After placing 80 percent of their team on the podium during the Alamosa Invitational on Jan. 18, the Montezuma-Cortez High School wrestling team appears primed to its march towards regionals.
Leading the way for the Panthers in the 12-team tournament, junior Seager Oliver continued to rack up wins, finishing first in the 170-pound division with a 3-0 record.
Also wrestling well for the Panthers, but coming up just short of a first place finish, was junior Justice Ramos, who, dropped a 5-3 overtime decision to Palo Duro High School’s Jon Hernandez in the 145-pound finals.
Other placers for the Panthers included junior Levi Gross (4-1), who finished third in the 132-pound division and sophomore Victor Perez (2-2) who finished fourth in the heavyweight bracket.
“Levi had some close matches,” said Panthers’ head coach Shad Bellmire. “He came up just short of getting into the finals.
Panthers’ freshman Josh Ramos just missed out on a podium spot, finishing the 126-pound tournament with a 2-3 record.
“All in all, we wrestled well,” said Panthers’ head coach Shad Bellmire. “We’re going to hit the timing just right for regionals.”
Next up for the Panthers will be a tournament in Page Ariz. on Jan. 24-25.
“We’re hoping to place all five,” said Bellmire of his team’s goals for the upcoming tournament.
