The Rye High School wrestling team’s wrestling season ended with the CHSAA 2A Region 4 tournament held at Rye High School. But, the fact that no one is headed for state does not indicate it was a bad season, according to Head Coach Billy Forell.
“We failed to get anyone qualified for state this season, but we did come away with two regional placers. Both Sophomore Andy Pritchard, and Freshman Skyler Moore placed sixth in the tough regional tournament.”
Forell continued, “For as green of a team we had this season I would call it a successful season. Our only Senior, Devin Samuelson ended his season with a torn ACL in our first tournament. So, it was a big learning season for our 7 freshman, 2 sophomore’s and 1 new junior. But having such a young team leaves the door open to a very bright productive wrestling future for these young men, provided they are willing to put in the work during the offseason, because as you know what you do during the season doesn’t make your season, it’s the offseason work that sets you up for a successful season.”
Cedaredge claimed the regional title scoring 266 points in the 19-team field. Host school Rye placed 16th with 29 points. It was freshman Moore who scored 11 of the 19 team points for Rye in the 165 lb. weight class.
Moore pinned Damon Gilmore of Kiowa in his first match in 61 seconds. Moore then lost his second-round match by a fall to Kole Hawkins of Cedaredge. After a bye in the consolation side of the bracket, Moore pinned Zane Ede of Fowler mid-way through the second period.
Moore himself was pinned in the second period of his next match sending him to the 5th-6th place match instead of the 3rd-4th place match which would have punched his ticket as a freshman for the state tournament. In the final match, Moore was pinned in the second period by Josh Brecko of Calhan. Moore ended the season with a 16-19 record.
Andy Prichard scored nine team points on his way to a 6th place finish in the 113 lb. class.
After a first round bye, Prichard lost a fall to Josh Martinez of Cedaredge as the clock expired in the first period. Prichard came back with a 41 second fall over Rafael Luna of Ellicott.
Prichard then pinned Highland’s Chad Watson in the first period but dropped the chance to finish in the top four and go to state when he lost a 16-6 major decision to Francisco Villa of Center.
In the 5th place match Prichard lost a hard fought 52 decision to Shaine Winder of County Line. Prichard finished the season with a 2118 record.
Cody Dodge didn’t place in the 138 lb. weight class but scored four team points for Rye. After losing a fall and receiving a bye, Dodge pinned Scott Pollock of Las Animas in 43 seconds before losing a fall in his final match of the day. Dodge ended the season with a 1-14 record.
In the 144 lb. weight class, Hyrum Peterson scored 3 team points although he did not place. After losing a first round fall, Peterson pinned Cody Glojek of Colorado Springs Christian School in the first period. Peterson then lost his third match by a fall in the first period.
Dayton Blok gained a pair of team points in the 175 lb. weight class in his second match of the day, when he won a major decision over Chris Carlson of Kiowa 11-3.
Blok finished the season, 1316.
“I want to give a huge shoutout and thank you to every parent and member of the Rye community that came together to make the Regional tournament run as smoothly as it did, from the table help to the parents in the hospitality room thank you all for the outstanding job,” shared Forell. “ Mr. Addington did an excellent job as tournament director, Suzanne Samuelson took the reins and did an amazing job spearheading and organizing the hospitality room and concessions and Gunny Pagnotta did a great job as our announcer for the weekend.”