Competing in a difficult tournament with large schools, the Dove Creek Bulldogs wrestling team turned in a solid performance.
One of 47 schools at the Doc Wright Invite in Winslow Ariz., on Jan. 17-18, the Bulldogs placed three wrestlers on the podium.
Leading the way for the Bulldogs with a fourth-place finish was 132-pound junior Chance Randolph who, losing twice to a state champion from Mesa High School, finished with a 6-2 record.
Also wrestling well for the Bulldogs was 126-pound sophomore Case Baughman, who, after losing a 6-5 decision in the semifinals and a 2-1 decision in the consolation semifinals, recorded a pin to finish fifth.
Suffering similarly close losses was Bulldogs’ senior Nick Jones, who grappled to a 5-3 record and finished sixth in the tournament.
“They weren’t dominated by anybody,” said Bulldogs’ head coach Shane Baughman of his top three wrestlers. “They just ran into a style of wrestling that a 1A kid or a 2A kid isn’t used to. These opponents are counter-type wrestlers. Once they get up by one or two points, they sit on that lead.”
Other Bulldogs competing in the tournament included Collin Hobbs, Tyler Knuckles, Tommy Fury and Wyatt Applin. Hobbs and Knuckles finished 2-2. Fury and Applin failed to qualify for the tournament’s second day.
Next up will be a dual in Paonia on Jan. 24, followed by the Screaming Eagle Tournament in Paonia on Jan. 25.