Eager for the opportunity to measure themselves against quality competition, members of the Dove Creek, Dolores, and Mancos wrestling teams traveled to the Moab Invitational Tournament on Nov. 30 and Dec. 30 and performed well.
Among the top local performers at the Moab tournament, which featured 15 teams, was Dove Creek sophomore Gage Bailey, who finished first in the varsity bracket for the 120-pound weight class.
To earn his top finish, Bailey secured victories in eight of his nine matches and pinned seven of his nine opponents during an overall performance that left Dove Creek head coach Eric Stiasny impressed.
“(Gage Bailey) was aggressive, and he attacked out of every position,” Stiasny said. “He looked really, really tough.”
Other Bulldogs wrestlers who enjoyed success in Moab was Wyatt Kennedy, who finished fifth overall in the varsity bracket for the 145-pound weight class after winning five of his nine matches.
Senior Austin Green faced tough competition at 170 pounds and finished 0-5 overall, while 170-pound teammate Will McKellips placed third in the junior varsity bracket after winning two of five matches.
Freshman Jaydon Bailey opened his high school career with a sixth-place finish in the junior varsity bracket at 106 pounds. As a team, Dove Creek finished ninth overall.
Leading a small group of Dolores wrestlers at the Moab Tournament, Josh Petrow won five of his seven matches and finished third in the 126-pound varsity bracket.
Bryan Escarcega placed fifth in the varsity bracket at 195 pounds after winning two of his six matches, and Jalen Boyd finished sixth in the 138-pound varsity bracket after amassing an overall record of 4-5.
Dolores finished 14th overall in the 15-team field.
Tops among Mancos wrestlers in Moab was Lot Martin, who was fourth in the varsity bracket of the 126-pound weight class after winning four of his seven matches.
Ty Everett had five wins in nine matches for a fifth-place finish at 120 pounds, and Colt Fury won four of eight matches at 160 pounds for seventh place.
Other varsity wrestlers for Mancos included Trevor Paquin, who finished eighth at 120 pounds, and Andrew Ruatti, who was seventh at 145 pounds.
John Lund finished third in the junior varsity bracket at 145 pounds after winning two of his seven matches, and Mancos finished 13th as a team.
