HHS Grapplers Go 1-1 In Meet With Blue Ridge, Window Rock

By Greg Perkins
   Hosting Blue Ridge and Window Rock in a three- way multiple meet last Friday, Holbrook’s wrestling team earned a split in the team competition. It was their final meet before the North regional, which will be held on Saturday, Feb. 6, and the Birds fell to Blue Ridge, 51-22, and defeated Window Rock, 63 18.
   “This was a good competition for us. Many of these matches helped us with seeding at regionals, which begin on Saturday. I am looking forward to seeing how our boys will perform and how many will earn a trip to the state meet,” said Coach John Bokker.
   Kyle Lester and Caleb McClellan split duties in the 103 class, with Lester falling to Bryce Carr from Blue Ridge and McClellan winning by forfeit over Window Rock. Riley McClellan earned two wins in the 112 class with a 13-4 decision over Jacob Sullivan of Blue Ridge and a forfeit win over the Scouts. Shawn Gillespie, who was wrestling at 119, dropped both of his matches, losing to Bradley Syth from Blue Ridge and Kevin Curley from Window Rock. RJ Alvarado won both of his matches in the 125-pound class taking a 6-1 decision over Cody Olney from Blue Ridge and a 17-0 win over Kevin Curley from Window Rock.
   In the 130 division, Drew Shumway defeated Jesus Soto in a close 8-7 match, then won by forfeit over Window Rock. Gjermundson Jake dropped matches to Brad Brevik from Blue Ridge and Andres Lonebar from Window Rock in the 135-pound class. Sam Glasses fell to Randy Lilly from Blue Ridge, but came back with a pin over Anthony Brown from Window Rock in the 140 class. David Hatch won his only match in the 145-pound division, pinning Francine Begay from Window Rock in 33 seconds. Josh Hatch dropped a close 2-0 match to Zane Gouker from Blue Ridge in the 152 class, then defeated Carson Nez from Window Rock with a pin.
   AJ Aragon won both of his matches in the 160 division, pinning Kevin Henderson from Blue Ridge and Cody Merritt from Window Rock. In the 171 division, Scott Tafoya also won both matches with pins over Caleb Brady of Blue Ridge and Cody Merritt of Window Rock. Holbrook’s Reuben Kee fell to Blue Ridge’s Adrian Perkins in the 189 class, then defeated Jeremy Jesus from Window Rock. Shelton Thomas lost to Jose Campos from Blue Ridge, then bounced back with a win over Tomas Billiman from Window Rock. Heavyweight Raymond Yazzie had just one match, falling to Derrick Scott from Window Rock.
   In junior varsity action, Shane Thomas won a 9-8 decision over Kevin Curley from Window Rock. Mathew Cano defeated JM Watson from Window Rock. Robert Dawson fell to Andres Lonebar from the Scouts. James Self pinned Jeremy Jesus from Window Rock, and Michael McMonigal lost to Kevin Curley from Window Rock.