The Buena Vista Demon wrestling team was able to take second place in their home dual tournament to open the season on Saturday, only dropping one dual to Bennett 48-28 while earning wins over James Irwin (51-30), Basalt (60-6), Severance (43-30), and Eagle Valley (46-30).
Defending state champion Micah Hertrich went 5-0 on the day, with one forfeit and four pins, never making it to the third period in a match. Four other Demons finished the day perfect, with Hayden Camp going 2-0 with two pins, Issac and Chris Hutchings staying perfect at 120 and 112 and Isaiah Romero who would get three pins at 195.
Jackson Helmke would finish the day 4-1 with three pins, and the only loss coming to Bennett. Aaron White finished 3-2 with a pair of pins, Seth Moss would finish the same with one pin and Kaden McFee would finish 2-1 with a pair of pins. The only girl wrestling for the Demons this year would go 3-2, and Elizabeth Torrens would earn a pin in the first period for one of those wins. Jim Gabriel finished 2-3 with a pair of pins in his wins and Tim Sullivan finished 2-3 while splitting time between 220 and 285.
The Demons also had a second team of JV kids wrestling at the meet, and they put together some good performances in the other pool, earning a win by tie-breaker over Salida 24-24, and getting team points in matches with Del Norte (35-18), Eagle Valley (60-21), Florence (57-6), and Basalt (36-12).
The Salida Spartans also put together a good performance against some tough competition. Forcing a second tie to go with the draw with Buena Vista’s second team (although they would lose both on tie-breakers) with Basalt (24-24) and would score in their three other duals against Severance (66-18), Pagosa Springs (42-18), and Florence (57-6).
Jesse Camp would lead the Spartans, winning his only official match of the day by pinfall in 21 seconds. Freshman Drew Johnson went 2-1 in official matches, pinning both of his opponents for his wins and falling on a 2-0 decision to Florence in his only loss. Colin King, Tristen Jones and Izan Wheeler all went 2-3 on the day.
