Coach expects competitive year as Grand grapplers prep for wrestling season
by Jeff Richards
contributing writer
Nov 21, 2012 | 446 views | 0 0 comments | 4 4 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Red Devil wrestlers Austin Day and Jacob Francis (on floor) practice with teammates Seth Holyoak and Andrew Hugentobler during a recent workout. Photo by Jeff Richards
Red Devil wrestlers Austin Day and Jacob Francis (on floor) practice with teammates Seth Holyoak and Andrew Hugentobler during a recent workout. Photo by Jeff Richards
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  Grand County High’s wrestling team will begin its season at a 24-team invitational meet at Panguitch, Utah on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

  Head coach Dennis Wells said that although the Red Devil squad currently has a couple of empty weight divisions on their roster, he expects the team to be competitive this year.

  “We have four wrestlers who placed at state last year, and who are ranked in the top three at the beginning of this year’s season,” Wells said.

  Junior Edgar Gomez, a heavyweight, placed second in state last year and is currently the top-ranked heavyweight in 2A, Wells said. Also, senior Dexter Sheets, who placed third at state in the 120-pound category last year, is ranked third this year in the region. Junior Jacob Francis placed fourth at 132 pounds last year, and is also ranked third, as is senior Trenton White, who placed fifth at 145 pounds last year and has moved up to 152 pounds this season, according to coach Wells.

  Wells said the Red Devils should be especially competitive in the 120- to 152-pound range, as well as the heaviest weights (195, 220, and heavyweight).

  A breakdown of Grand’s current roster (as of Nov. 19) is as follows, with each wrestler’s weight in pounds listed after his name: Justin Moore (106), Dexter Sheets (120), Andrew Hugentobler (120), Seth Holyoak (126), Shawn Fugal (126), Jacob Francis (132), Robert Allred (132), Doyle Irvine (138), Ronnie Dolphin (145), Trenton White (152), Tannen Messick (171), Donavin Denton (171), Matt Bridenbaker (182), Austin Day (195), Adam Flanders (195), David Bentley (220), Edgar Gomez (heavyweight), Garrett Porter (heavyweight), and Carlos Gomez (heavyweight).

  While most of the athletes on the squad are returning from last year, there are a handful of new faces on the team, Wells said, adding that the 113-pound and 160-pound weight slots are both still open.

  Wells is being assisted this season by coaches Kelly Sheets, Joe Day, and Jason Ramsdell. The Red Devils’ first scheduled home match is a dual meet against the San Juan Broncos on Wednesday, Dec. 19.
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