Bulldog wrestlers impress at summer tournament

<i>Photo by Jeff Pope</i>
Enrique Vigil, seen here at last year's Doc Wright Invitational, finished first in his weight division at the Camp of Champions.</b>

<i>Photo by Jeff Pope</i> Enrique Vigil, seen here at last year's Doc Wright Invitational, finished first in his weight division at the Camp of Champions.</b>

The Bulldogs may have come from a small school compared to their competition, but they left a big impression, according to Coach Justin Hartman.

Hartman took seven wrestlers from the reigning 3A North Division Champions to a tournament in Palm Springs, Calif. this past weekend.

The Camp of Champions tournament included teams from Hawaii, Washington, California and Arizona. The Bulldogs placed fourth overall but were No. 1 from The Grand Canyon State.

Hartman said they competed against 26 schools, including some that had enrollments topping 5,000 but it was the little school from Winslow that caught the eyes of a few rival coaches.

"This was the best I've seen Winslow wrestle in probably the past 10 years," Hartman said. "We got a lot of compliments from other coaches."

In team competition, Winslow beat several ranked schools in California.

The Camp of Champions Wrestling School, based in Prescott, has been teaching and training young champions since 1980. This was the first year that Winslow participated.

The camp was planned to take place at Northern Arizona University. Due to an outbreak of the norovirus there two weeks ago, it was moved to Palm Springs.

The Winslow Unified School District Governing Board called an emergency meeting last Wednesday to allow the team to travel.

Hartman said he is grateful to Principal Doug Watson and Asst. Superintendent Maribelle Ogilvie and the Board to allow his team to participate.

"Within 24 hours they got us the money and the bus to be able to go," he said. "Thank you to everyone who helped."

Hartman said the Bulldogs could have finished better if they had more wrestlers. They had openings in three weight divisions forcing the Winslow team to forfeit 18 points in each round of the duel meets. Winslow lost to Esperanza High School by just two points, 37-35.

The Bulldogs placed well in individual matches too.

Enrique Vigil won the 110-pound division and Anthony Martinez (145 lbs.) and David Young (heavyweight) placed second in their weight classes.

Tommy Taylor (130 lbs) and Justin Powell (heavyweight) placed fifth.

Justin Garcia placed eighth in the 125-lbs division.

John Gonzales didn't place in individual competition but had a winning record, 8-7, in the team duels.

The good showing at the tournament gave Hartman hope that his team will improve upon their success last year.

"It should be a fun season," he said.

Wrestling practice opens Oct. 28.

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