Cowboy grapplers compete to win Five atheletes take first place in North Fork

Jacob Spetzler Photo and Sports Editor

The GHS boys wrestling squad competed twice over the weekend. On Friday, Jan. 21, the team won a dual over Olathe with a final score of 36-30. On Jan. 22, the Cowboys then traveled to North Fork for the Fight at the Fork tournament, pulling in a slew of top spots.

GHS Junior Royce Uhrig earned his 101st win of his high school career and took the “Outstanding Wrestler” award for the event. Miles Harris, also in his junior year, is on track to break the Gunnison takedown record — possibly as soon as this Thursday during the upcoming home dual against the North Fork team.

Head Coach Dave Uhrig said the win over Olathe on Friday was due largely to a few key match wins from Tate Taramarcaz and Preston Gomez — both of whom took the win with a pin. Coach Uhrig also highlighted Damyon Funk and Kleber Flores. Although they both lost, he said they put up a great fight.

“Damyon Funk and Kleber Flores both lost to top ranked opponents, but both had shots at winning their matches,” Coach Uhrig said. “Damyon was able to close the margin from last week when he wrestled the same kid and lost by more.”

During Saturday’s tournament performance, the podium saw Cowboy name after Cowboy name. Co-captains Royce Uhrig and Harris led the way in first place. They were joined by Cody Casebolt, Fraiser Bernie and Kenny

Gonzales, who won the final match against fellow teammate Asher Schellenberg.

Schellenberg took second along with Lalchaija Perez and Brock Fry. Damyon Funk and Nolan Frymoyer each found third after rebounding from early round losses. The team took third overall with 148 points, beating host North Fork but coming in right behind Mancos.

Coach Uhrig said Casebolt’s journey to first was particularly exciting.

“He beat some really good kids to win it,” Coach Uhrig said. “He is getting takedowns and no one has been able to ride him.”

While the boys battled in North Fork, the girls traveled to Colorado Springs for the Metro Girls Wrestling Championships. Cooper Imel and Ava Witzel each took second. Louise Blackley finished fourth and Isabelle Crown took fifth. All counted, the Cowboys took ninth overall.

This Thursday, Jan. 26, will be the final chance to see this season’s varsity squad compete at home. The Cowboys will host North Fork in the GHS competition gym. The JV boys will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the girls follow at 6 p.m. Varsity boys will start immediately after. There is a good chance Harris will break the school record for career takedowns, which was set by Jed Widner during the ‘76-’77 season.

On Saturday, the team will split up. The more experienced boys crew will head to Canon City, while those who’ve seen less mat time will compete in Grand Junction. The girls will take the weekend off

(Jacob Spetzler can be con- at 970.641.1414 jacob@gunnisontimes.com.)

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