This year the Tiger wrestling team began the season ranked number 2 according to OntheMat.  It didn’t take long to see why the Tigers earned that distinction.  By the end of the first day of the Warrior Classic, a premier wresting tournament which was celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Tiger were well ahead.  At the end of the two day tournament, the Tigers were 40 points ahead and had crowned three individual champions.  

Dawson Collins, freshman, wrestling in the 106 pound weight class, extended his championship match into double overtime and then finished off Pueblo South’s Xavier Espinoza to win with a take down just inside the circle.

Dylan Martinez, junior, wrestling at 132 pounds, beat Shandon Bradford of Monticello to take the second Tiger championship of the night.

Josiah Rider, junior, wrestling at 145 pounds, pinned Daniel Van Hoose of Fruita Monument.  With the decisive pin, Rider earned his third consecutive Warrior Classic championship.  His wrestling has earned him a number 1 ranking at his weight in the 5A class in Colorado.  Rider recently placed 2nd in the prestigious Ironman tourney and is, to date, ranked 4th nationally.

In addition to the three champions, Seth Latham, junior,  took 2nd at 170, Hunter Tobiasson, sophomore,  took 3rd at 182, Shawn Garcia, senior, took 3rd at 195, Angelo Guillen, junior, took 6th at 113, and Tyren Castonguay, senior, took 5th at 126.

The Tigers will wrestle January 4th at the Jackpot Duals in the Grand Junction High School gymnasium.