Missing their two seniors to injuries and their top junior to a shooting competition, the Dolores Bears wrestling team had every reason to fail.<\/p>\n
Obviously, failure is not an option for this year\u2019s Bears\u2019 team, however, which, as a whole, wrestled extremely well at Dove Creek in the Dawg-Fight Tournament on Dec. 14.<\/p>\n
Finishing fifth in the 15-team tournament, the Bears were paced by freshman Tristan Medina, who placed first in the 113-pound division.<\/p>\n
Also wrestling well for the Bears were youngsters Brandon Ward and Richard Martinez. Ward placed second in the 106-pound division, while Martinez placed third at 120 pounds.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe three of them, being as close as they are in weight class, they really push each other,\u201d said Bears\u2019 head coach Leo Garand. \u201cThey put in a great week of practice and it showed.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to the outstanding work put in by young Bears\u2019 wrestlers, junior 182-pound freshman Abe Lobato finished third in the 182-pound division. Devon Reed finished fourth in the 195-pound division.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbe did well,\u201d said Garland. He popped a rib out, but he still had enough wins to finish second.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the Piedra Vista Tournament scheduled for this weekend, Garand expressed hope that his team would continue to build on its early season success.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got to get people healthy,\u201d said Garand. \u201cGetting Deano Valdez (out with concussion) back in the lineup will be big.\u201d<\/p>\n
Considering the success of the Bears\u2019 young wrestlers, a healthy Valdez has to be a scary thought for upcoming foes, who figure to face a stiff challenge from a young and hungry team.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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