Head coach for Mustang wrestling Rob McCabe told the San Miguel Basin Forum that 10 athletes are on the mat this year, and he’s excited for this wrestling season to get going. The guys — there are no females wrestling this year — had a tournament two weekends ago in Moab and finished eighth out of 13. On the team this year are Jackson McCabe wrestling at 113 pounds, Nolan Cressler at 120 pounds, Cole Bray at 126, Derrick VanDellan at 132, JW Nasland at 138, David Quigley at 165, Arthur Connelly at 175, both Paxtin Caruso and Hunter Rowe wrestling at 190 pounds and Jacob Davis at 215.
In Utah, Connelly took second, Nasland and Caruso were third in their classes, while Bray and VanDellan were fourth.
There are some younger wrestlers this year — Bray, McCabe and Davis are freshmen — but even upperclassmen had some tough competition across the state line. Coach said it was the first tournament of the 2023-24 season, and the guys did have some jitters.
McCabe is again assisted by Lars Nasland this year, and Hemmy O’Brien might be manager, since he sustained an injury in Moab and is done for the next six weeks. O’Brien is a senior who was participating in both wrestling and basketball.
The guys also wrestled in Montrose this past weekend, and there Connelly was first place in the tournament, Rowe was third and Caruso was fourth. Hunter Rowe wrestled in the JV tournament and took third also.
In his second year of leading the Nucla wrestling program, McCabe said he’s got goals for the team. Last year saw two state placers and one state qualifier.
“I have high expectations for what we are going to do by the time the state tournament rolls around,” he said. “We are looking to be in the Top 10. … That hasn’t been done here in Nucla in, I’d say, probably close to 10 years.”
With the new school in Nucla almost finished, the guys are ready to move into the new weight room and private wrestling room. Coach was hoping to possibly get in before the new year, but it might have to be after.
In other wrestling news McCabe is happy that the new school will host the Nucla-Norwood wrestling tournament this year. He’s trying to set up a few duals for the Friday night before too.
Wrestling has traditionally had a lot of support in the local area, and coach said the guys are doing well with resources. He said the school and the board are always looking at what the program needs to be successful. And, there is a good following of parents, fans and former wrestlers that show up and want to see the guys succeed.
Coach said that the sport is sort of a legacy in the West End, and there are some families who’ve been wrestling for three or four generations back for Nucla High School.
“They know what it’s like cutting weight, and they can connect with the sport. They look back at what the kids go through, watching them. … it replicates the hardships of life,” he said. “They’ve been through it.”
The Warrior Classic coming up this weekend in Grand Junction, Friday and Saturday.
