The Mustangs are sending five students to the middle school state wrestling tournament this weekend. Coach Rob McCabe gave the San Miguel Basin Forum details Monday morning. McCabe, a Nucla High School teacher, is the head coach for the high school wrestling team, as well as the middle school wrestling team too. For the middle school grades, he’s assisted by Tony Bonacquista, Lars Nasland and Freddy Smith.
The regional middle school wrestling tournament happened over the weekend, and it was successful for the kids.
“We had a solid end to the day,” McCabe said. “We had battled sickness all last week, so we came out a little flat and took some losses in the opening two rounds I feel we could have won. Last week, at Delta, the kids wrestled extremely well and looked prepped for regionals.”
Now, moving on and heading to Denver for the finale that takes place this weekend is Cooper Shurtz, a fourth grader, who placed second in the regional tournament. In the middle school proper heading to the state tournament are Austin Shurtz, wrestling at 70 pounds, who placed fifth at regionals; Slade Carver, wrestling at 75 pounds, and who took fourth place; Jace Bonacquista, wrestling at 95 pounds, and who placed fifth; Hunter Johnson, wrestling at 100 pounds, and who was third; and also Kynnlie McCabe, wrestling at 109 pounds, and who was first place at regionals.
McCabe is the only female wrestler on the team. She is also coach’s daughter.
The Mustangs will leave Thursday afternoon, after school, and head to Denver to wrestle at the National Western Complex.
What do these kids need to do to finish strong?
"We need to continue wrestling like we have all season and keep progressing,” coach said. “Each week, the kids have shown improvement and defeated opponents who they lost to earlier in the season.”
Mustang fans are invited to follow along and support the young wrestlers. While the tournament itself won’t have live-stream availability, the Nucla High School Facebook page will have live-stream, so that fans can tune in from home.
Coach said he’s pleased with the group of young wrestlers.
“Super proud,” he said Monday. “Most of the kids started wrestling in the last two years, and the progress they have made is amazing. They all have great attitudes and want to be part of the program.”
Moving on to high school wrestling next year are three eighth graders. They are Jace Bonaquista, Ryker Collins and Collin Johnson.
