Competing at home against Newcomb on Jan. 20, the Dolores High School wrestling team coasted to a 42-12 victory.
"We had a week off and we really ground it out all week, said Dolores head coach Leo Garand. "I feel like it really paid off. We went out there and wrestled extremely aggressively."
In the 106-pound match, Bears sophomore Brandon Ward pinned Kristen Yazzi in the first period.
"Brandon went out and rode the legs really well," Garand said. "He took what they gave him and didn't force anything."
At 126 pounds, Bears junior Tristan Medina pinned Sheridan Staley, and at 132 pounds, Logan Fuller pinned Tyler Howe in just 10 seconds.
"Tristan went out and went to work," said Garand. "He wrestled really well. Logan set the benchmark for this year with his 10-second pin."
Senior Guy Wallace pinned Jawaun Charles in the 145-pound match, and Austin Hackney, Riley Syra and Kellen Gatzke won by forfeit.
"Guy was super-aggressive. He's getting focused and gearing toward regionals and state."
Newcomb's only victories of the dual came after Dolores was forced to forfeit the 138-pound and 160-pound matches.
Next up for Dolores will be the Sun Devil Tournament, which will take place in Page, Ariz., Jan. 23-24.
"Last year, we had a lot of success in Page. We're bringing seven guys to the tournament, and I could see six of the seven making the podium. We're pretty excited about it."
