The Craver Wrestling team had a successful season ending with a tournament in Fowler in which 11 of 15 wrestlers placed. The tournament, held on Saturday, February 26 consisted of 18 teams.
A somber cloud hovered over the tournament as the Rye wrestlers wore gold ribbons on their wrestling shoes as a tribute to lost schoolmate Graham DiMatteo.
Claiming gold medals were Logan Jones (8th grade) at 120 lbs.; Connor Carlin (8) at 140 lbs.; Kobe Boisvert (8) at 160 lbs.; Dayton Blok (8) at 165 lbs. Skyler Moore (8) at 185 lbs.; and Nick Jones (8) at 200 lbs.
D.C. Pacheco (8) at 190 lbs. and Hyrum Peterson (8) at 140 lbs. won bronze medals. Kade Kenney (7) placed 4th at 190 lbs. and Branson Burbidge (8) placed 5th.
But perhaps, no where was the success of the team more obvious than at the Pueblo Steel City/County Meet. Two years ago, four wrestlers scored a total of three points in that meet which includes all of the middle schools in Pueblo County.
This year, 18 of the 20 wrestlers participating scored 118 team points in the very same meet.
“The kids had an excellent attitude all season long,” shared Head Coach Gunny Pagnotta. “They worked hard and gave incredible effort all season long. Most of the 20 were beginners to the sport in the Pueblo League-arguably one of the toughest in the state. Pueblo is a mecca for high level wrestling over the last decade. I am so proud of them all.
In the varsity division of the Pueblo tournament Boisvert (8) placed second at 160 lbs. as did Nick Jones (8) in the 200 lb. division.
Blok (8) placed third in the 165 lb. weight class. Logan Jones (8) placed fourth in the 120 lb. class and Carlin (8) placed fourth in the 130 lb. class.
Jackson Graham (7) placed fifth in the 85 lb. class. Tim Blackhurst (8) placed fifth in the 100 lb. class and Ivy McAlhany (8) placed fifth at 115 lbs.
Roy Fern (6), 80 lbs.; Burbidge (8) 125 lbs.; Kenney (7) 105 lbs.; and Lowry Kirkland (8) 110 lbs. all placed sixth.
In the Junior Varsity division Tyson Boisvert (7) at 80 lbs. and Dominic Bachman (8) at 170 lbs. and Moore (8) at 185 lbs. won the gold medal. Jeremiah De Leon (6) at 80 lbs. and Kolby Branch (6) at 130 lbs. placed fourth. Lucas Cook (6) at 85 lbs. claimed fifth place.
The Craver team was coached by Gunny Pagnotta, Clint Pagnotta, Cole Estes, Dr. Arlin Peterson, Michael McAlhany, and Scot Burbidge.
For the year the Craver wrestlers as a team won 130 matches and lost 125 matches.
Pagnotta also thanked twotime Rye High School state champion Remington Peterson for sharing a speech with the Craver students which provided instruction and motivation.
Former NHL Chicago Blackhawk Dave Feamster is scheduled for an upcoming team celebration.