The Pagosa Springs High School Lady Pirate wrestling team will return to action later this week when they host their first-ever home wrestling tournament, the Rocky Mountain Invitational, on Friday, Jan. 9.
“To have a home tournament where, you know, family members and friends can come watch, is very exciting for us,” said coach Dan Janowsky.
Last year the Lady Pirates had hosted a dual meet at home, making this the second girls’ wrestling event to ever be hosted at Pagosa Springs High School.
The wrestling will begin at noon on Friday with nine teams from southwest Colorado and New Mexico competing. The teams participating will be Centauri, Center, Del Norte, Durango, Ignacio, Montezuma-Cortez, Nucla and Taos, N.M.
Janowsky emphasized that the voluntary practices and workouts over break went very well. School has started back up again and with that comes a week of regular practices in preparation.
The girls will be getting live reps throughout the week in order to get acclimated, as well as working on fundamentals and stamina, explained Janowsky.
The girls’ performance at the Warrior Classic in Grand Junction just before the break has helped the team gain some recognition heading into the first tournament of the new year.
“[The girls] kind of edged up into the rankings at 15, so they’re on the radar,” said Janowsky. “Now people are starting to realize that we have some real good competitive girl wrestlers on that side.”
Four Lady Pirates are coming into the home tournament with nine wins on the season. Laykyn Baxstrom, who wrestles at 190 pounds, is 9-0. Madisen Stretton, who wrestles at 110 pounds, is 9-2. Bella Jackson, who wrestles at 105 pounds, is 9-3. Kyley Matyniak, who wrestles at 130 pounds, is 9-4.
“This is our first girls’ tournament that we’re hosting,” Janowsky said. “And you know, we’re excited about it. The girls are excited.”
jsellner@orourkemediagroup.com
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