The Camp Verde High School wrestling team finished with a 3-1 dual meet record at the most recent nine-way match Jan. 12.
Camp Verde defeated Monument Valley, 64-18, Bourgade Catholic, 57-22 and Greyhills Academy 48-27. The Cowboys’ only defeat came at the hands of Show Low High School, 42-39.
The biggest story of the nine-way event last week for the Cowboys was their continued success despite missing key figures to their team.
Camp Verde forfeited six points in every dual meet because of illness and other various injuries. Add those six points to the Show Low match, and the Cowboys finish a perfect 4-0.
“The nine-way meet was a good day for the younger wrestlers for the Cowboys,” longtime Camp Verde Head Coach Bob Weir said. “They were able to mix into the varsity lineup, filling in spots for some of the injured wrestlers.”
Despite plenty of young wrestlers getting experience, a few of the older, more seasoned grapplers for Camp Verde still got some work in.
Sophomore Heath Carroll, wrestling at 130 pounds, finished a perfect 4-0 in his matches Jan. 12 while 135-pound senior Roman Bux was 2-0 with one pin fall.
Junior Derrick Brown went an impressive 5-0 with three pins while wrestling in the 119-pound weight class and 140-pound teammate Alex Anzar finished 3-0 with two pins.
“These young wrestlers are looking good and on their way to a possible state championships,” a hopeful Weir said. “They continue to dominate at their weight class.”
Other standouts included 103-pound junior Michael Cassillas, who finished 5-1 with four pins, and 135-pound senior Maleah Eppinger, who was 4-0 with three pins.
As a team, Camp Verde was 56-22 overall with 36 pins against the four schools.
Next up for the Cowboys is a trip to the Payson Invitational on Friday, Jan. 21.
The invitational runs through Saturday, Jan. 22. An official start time in Payson this coming weekend was unavailable at press time.
Camp Verde will return home Wednesday, Jan. 26, to wrap up varsity competition at home where the Cowboys
will be celebrating their seniors.
According to Weir, the seniors will be honored before the final dual meet with an estimated start time of 5 p.m.
