The Pagosa Springs High School Lady Pirate wrestling team has experienced multiple firsts this season, with winning its first tournament to hosting its first home dual, and now Laykyn Baxstrom becoming the first Lady Pirate to earn a podium place at the state tournament.
The Lady Pirates traveled to Denver last week to compete in the state finals tournament held at Ball Arena Feb 13-15.
Coach Dan Janowsky wrote in an email to The SUN that Baxstrom “made history for the girl’s program, becoming the first state medalist” in the program’s history after earning fourth place in the 190-pound weight class.
Janowsky notes that Baxstrom “won three tough matches on the way to her historic medal.”
Baxstrom won her opening match by pinning her opponent in two minutes and 35 seconds.
She then defeated her opponent in the quarterfinal match by a major decision of 13-1, sending her to the semifinals, where she was defeated by a decision of 8-4.
Janowsky mentioned in an interview that Baxstrom was “very capable of winning it” and that he felt Baxstrom controlled the majority of the match, being the more aggressive wrestler, but “wasn’t able to put those points on the board.”
He noted that Baxstrom took a few risks late in the match to go for some points, but fell victim to some quality counterattacks.
“I felt like we controlled most of the time and the action in the match,” he said.
Baxstrom went on to pin her opponent in the consolation semifinal match in three minutes, sending her to the third-place match where she lost in double overtime by a decision of 6-1.
“She did awesome,” Janowsky said, noting the last match was tied at 1-1 after almost eight minutes of wrestling.
He noted those were, “very close, competitive matches.”
Baxstrom finished the season with an overall record of 17-6.
Janowsky explained that the Lady Pirates dealt with some “nerves” with the exception of Baxstrom in that the other Lady Pirates had not been to the state tournament before.
“Its such a different experience,” he said, adding, “We had some opportunities to score,” along with losing some leads.
Janowsky explained that the Ball Arena poses a larger atmosphere than the Lady Pirates may have been used to with 12 mats and lots of crowd noise.
“That is one of the big factors,” he added.
Janowsky mentioned that it can be a common problem to feel some nerves in your first state tournament appearance.
“Although I feel like our girls, even in defeat, showed some really good physical skills,” he said.
Madisen Stretton competed in the 105-pound weight class and lost her opening match by a decision of 14-8 after jumping out to a 6-0 lead, Janowsky explained.
“She’s got good skills,” he added.
Stretton then won her following match by a major decision of 12-0, and then lost her third match by a decision of 6-0, being eliminated from the tournament.
Stretton finished the season with an overall record of 25-11.
Bella Jackson wrestled in the 100-pound weight class, losing her opening match by pin in 1:17. She was pinned in her following match in 27 seconds.
Jackson finished the season with an overall record of 22-13.
“She had an awesome season,” Janowsky said, noting that Jackson is a “great prospect” for the program, and “typically wrestles with a lot of energy, and a lot of heart.”
Kylie Matyniak competed in the 130-pound weight class, losing her opening match by pin in 1:58.
Janowsky mentioned that Matyniak handled the big stage well and was involved in “competitive matches.”
Matyniak finished the season with an overall record of 18-13.
“Our girls were super excited to qualify and move into that level,” Janowsky said, noting that the team has mostly resolved handling its nerves and is looking forward to getting back to the state tournament next season.
“The size of the mat is the same whether you’re in the Ball Arena or Pagosa’s gym,” Janowsky said, explaining how it can be easy to get swept up in the atmosphere of a larger tournament.
clayton@pagosasun.com
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