The Yuma High School boys wrestling team is enjoying a strong finish to the 2021 regular season.
The Indians picked up three more dual wins late last week.
Now they have a huge dual tonight, February 25, at Yuma County-rival Wray. The two-time defending 2A state champions currently are ranked No. 1. However, the Indians nearly pulled off the upset last year in The Pit, and are wrestling well heading into the annual Yuma County Showdown on the Mat.
“It’s hard for me to say right now (how the Indians stack up) because I haven’t been paying too much attention to the rankings and results,” head coach Kyle Newton said. “I’ve just been concerned with our team, and I think our team is ready. It’s going to be a big dual.”
The Indians wrap up the regular season Saturday at Lamar, with a triangular against the home team and Limon.
Then it will be time to prepare for regional, which will be March 5-6 at Akron High School.
The Indians definitely went out in style in its final home match, last Friday night in The Pit, dominating Dolores Huerta Prep 50-9.
“They were motivated because it’s Parents Night, Senior Night, last night in the gym,” Newton said.
Blaze Brophy got it going with a 11-0 major decision at 138 over a ranked opponent.
“That got everybody fired up and we just kept it rolling after that,” Newton said.
Brophy’s win was followed by Trey Stegman’s 9-1 major decision at 145, which was followed by Tyler Allen continuing to shine at 152 with a third-period pin at the 5 minutes, 45 seconds mark.
Yahir Trejo got back in the winner’s circle with a quick pin, 1:28, at 160, and Louden Blach got another quick one, 1:16 at 170. Kevin Hermosillo followed with a 7-2 decision at 182. Kallen Blach wrestled tough in a 6-0 loss at 195, but Jose Ruiz wasted little time in picking up a win at 220 with a 36-second pin.
Brandon Mendoza continued his big senior season with a pin, 2:59, at 285. John Smith kept it going with an 8-5 decision at 120.
Braden Smith returned from injury just in time for one final match in The Pit, and he made it count with a third-period pin, 5:37, at 132.
It was the final matches in The Pit for seniors Blaze Brophy, Louden Blach, Brandon Mendoza and Braden Smith, and all went out with a victory.
Yuma then went to University High School in Greeley on Saturday for a triangular, picking up two more team victories, though both were close.
The Indians held off the Highland Huskies 42-35.
J. Smith got things rolling in the right direction for the Indians with a pin at the 1:56 mark at 120. However, that was the only win on the mat for Yuma. Getting forfeit wins were Hugo Montes at 126, B Smith 132, Brophy 138, Hermosillo 182, K. Blach 195 and Ruiz 220. Stegman lost a 5-2 decision at 145, Allen lost at 152, Trejo a 5-1 loss at 160, L. Blach pinned at 170, and Mendoza was pinned at 285.
The Indians also squeaked out a 33-30 win over University. J. Smith got a pin in 1:58 at 120, B. Smith a 6-4 decision at 132, and L. Blach a pin in 3:18 at 170. Getting forfeit wins were Brophy at 138, Allen at 152, and Trejo at 160. Montes lost by fall in the third period at 126, Stegman lost by fall at 145, Hermosillo dropped a 6-4 decision at 182, K. Blach lost by fall at 195, Ruiz a 4-2 decision at 220, and Mendoza was pinned in the first period at 285.
