As its season has progressed, the Montezuma-Cortez High School wrestling team has become increasingly competitive as its members have gained experience and rounded into form.
That momentum continued Dec. 19 as the Panthers took to their home mats and defeated a tough Monticello squad by a score of 43-29. Eight M-CHS wrestlers earned victories, while the team suffered defeats in five weight classes.
“It was a good performance,” M-CHS senior Matthew Broughton said. “Overall, as a team, I was happy with how we did. (Monticello) is a good team, and we’re a basics team. That’s how we roll.”
Among the many dominant performances put forth by Panthers wrestlers was the one delivered by 113-pounder Jayven Valdez, who dominated Tate Ramsay throughout an entertaining opening period before earning a pin victory with 47 seconds left in the second.
Other M-CHS wrestlers who earned pin victories included Broughton, who pinned Zach Cecil in the second period of the 152-pound match, and Kerwin Tom, who pinned Collin Adair in the second period of the 195-pound match.
“Our coach coaches us to go out there and try to do our best and work on what we need to work on,” Tom said. “(Adair) was a very challenging opponent. I just go for what I know.”
“I usually just rely on a lot of upper body strength,” Broughton said. “I got to where I liked that tie and just ended up working the kid to his back from his feet.”
Other M-CHS wrestlers earning victories included Kael Buffington and Austin Featherman, who dominated on their feet and on the ground. Buffington’s victory over Paxton Christensen in the 106-pound match came via an 11-0 victory and Featherman’s win over Tyler Thayn in the 120-pound match came via a 15-0 technical fall.
M-CHS senior Shawn Higgins wrestled well throughout an 8-0 decision victory over Dillan Wheeler in the 138-pound match, while Swayde Noyes and Devon Frost both earned forfeit victories for M-CHS after Monticello was unable to fill the 182-pound and 220-pound classes.
“I felt pretty solid in there,” Higgins said. “I could do a little better with my legs, but I kept high energy and constant pressure. I’m really good and really healthy, and things are looking good for the season. I want to stay solid and qualify for state.”
Other M-CHS wrestlers who competed included Cael Hall, who was pinned in the 285-pound match, and Casen Allmon, who was defeated at 160 pounds. Ethan Root was pinned in the 145-pound match, and Anthony Abeyta pinned his opponent in an exhibition match at 145 pounds.
Next up for the Panthers will be a dual match against Centauri in Cortez on Dec. 21. Broughton stressed that he hopes that he and his teammates can continue to improve.
“This is the best team that we’ve seen,” Broughton said. “We’re really expecting to bring more wrestlers than we have in the past to state. We just need to keep working hard.”
This article was reposted on Dec. 20 to correctly identify Kael Buffington in a photo caption.