Kicking off what many expect to be a winning season, the Dolores High School wrestling team placed two wrestlers on the podium at the Peaks Invitational. The tournament took place in Flagstaff, Ariz., Dec. 5-6.
"(The Peaks Tournament) is one of the toughest tournaments we see all year," said Dolores head coach Leo Garand.
Leading the way for Dolores was 145-pound senior Guy Wallace, who won seven of his nine matches and finished second in the tournament. Both of Wallace's losses came at the hands of Catalina Foothills High School's Zachary Davis, a state runner-up each of the past two seasons.
Also wrestling well for Dolores was 160-pound sophomore Riley Syra, who won four of his eight matches and finished sixth overall.
Other Dolores grapplers amassing winning records included 106-pound freshman Cody Lee (4-3) and 113-pound sophomore Richard Martinez (5-0). Garand said that Martinez was forced to withdraw from the tournament after sustaining a concussion.
"(Martinez) wrestled extremely well, but I had to pull him after he got a concussion," said Garand. "He'll be ready to go tonight (in our next match)."
Next up for Dolores will be the Dawg Fight Tournament, which will take place in Dove Creek on Dec. 13. One of fourteen teams competing in the tournament, Garand is hopeful that Dolores can improve.
"We're wrestling really well on our feet and I was happy with the way we came out the bottom," said Garand. "We need to improve our riding. That cost us a lot of matches (at the Peaks Tournament)."
