Monticello wrestlers earn seventh place at Rocky Mountain Invite

by Anna Fredericks
Contributing Writer
The Monticello High School wrestlers were back in action this past weekend following the Christmas break. They traveled to Dolores, CO for a quad meet on Friday, January 5 before heading to the Rocky Mountain Invitational in Pagosa Springs, CO January 6.
The 16-team Rocky Mountain Invite has long been considered one of the toughest tournaments of the season as it features several of the top schools in Colorado and New Mexico. The Buckaroos finished in seventh place as a team at the tournament.
Senior Zac Thayn at 150 pounds was the top placer for Monticello, earning a third-place finish. He earned a first-period fall and a third-period fall in the first two rounds.
A tough loss in the semifinal round sent him to the consolation bracket where he rallied for an exciting 2-1 win. He closed out his performance with a win by fall in the first period of the consolation championship.
Senior Thomas Fullmer came home fourth for the Buckaroos at 165 pounds. Fullmer earned a win by first-period fall before suffering a loss in the semifinal round.
In the consolation bracket he came back with a quick first-period win by fall. That earned him a spot in the consolation championship match where he was defeated.
A host of Buckaroos brought home fifth-place finishes from the tournament. John Leber at 120 pounds had a first-period win by fall followed by two losses, but finished the day with a win by first-period fall in the placement match.
Landon Shumway had a first period win by fall and an exciting sudden victory win at 132 pounds. After losses in the next two rounds, Shumway finished with an 8-5 win in the final placement round.
At 157 pounds Chandler Henderson earned wins by first-period fall in the first two rounds followed by two losses. He came back strong with a second-period win by fall in the placement match.
Tavon Black, wrestling at 175 pounds, earned a 4-1 win, and Jarum Robison had a win by fall in the placement round at 215 pounds.
Ronnie Harris earned an eighth-place finish at 138 pounds. He had two wins by fall, each in the third period, and one loss before having to medically forfeit his final two matches of the tournament.
Anson Kendrick had an exciting second-place finish in the 132-pound JV bracket. Kendrick had three wins by fall and only one loss.
At 106 pounds Arturo Gutierrez earned a win by fall in the second round. Also wrestling hard for the Buckaroos were Caleb Coleman (144) and Cruise Shumway (165).
At Dolores Monticello wrestled duals against Dolores, Ignacio, and Montezuma-Cortez. Against Dolores Ronnie Harris earned two wins by fall. Anson Kendrick, Caleb Coleman and Cruise Shumway were all defeated in the dual.
Against Ignacio John Leber, Landon Shumway, Chandler Henderson, and Thomas Fullmer all won matches by fall. Arturo Gutierrez, Caleb Coleman, and Zac Thayn were defeated.
Against Cortez, John Leber, Landon Shumway, and Tavon Black won by fall. Zac Thayn won his match by 10-2 major decision. Chandler Henderson and Jarum Robison were defeated.
Before the Christmas break the Buckaroos hosted the Monument Valley-Kayenta Mustangs. The team was 6-6 at the dual with Arturo Gutierrez, Ronnie Harris, Zac Thayn, Chandler Henderson, and Tavon Black all winning matches by fall.
Henderson won two matches on the night. Buckaroos Evan Carpenter, John Leber, Anson Kendrick, Ronnie Harris, Cruise Shumway, and Jarum Robison all were defeated in the dual.
This week the Monticello mat-men traveled to face Monument Valley-Kayenta on Tuesday, January 9 and they’ll hit the road again for the Norwood, CO Invitational on Saturday, January 13.
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, January 17 when the Buckaroos will host their final home match of the season. Wrestling begins at 6 p.m. but the team will recognize their four seniors just prior to the start.
Then the Bucks will travel to Aztec, NM to close out their regular season with a dual against the Tigers on Saturday, January 20.