Men’s Wrestling Opens Conference Duals in Arkansas City
The Colby Trojans men’s wrestling team opens conference dual action this week with a trip to Arkansas City, KS. for a tri-dual against Labette and Cowley on Thursday, beginning at 4:00 p.m. Colby will open the night against Labette, sit out the middle dual, and close the evening against host Cowley at 7:00 p.m.
The Colby Trojans men's wrestling team opens conference dual action this week with a trip to Arkansas City, KS. for a tri-dual against Labette and Cowley on Thursday (Jan. 15), beginning at 4:00 p.m. Colby will open the night against Labette, sit out the middle dual, and close the evening against host Cowley at 7:00 p.m.
Colby enters conference play coming off a strong finish at the Valley Duals, where the Trojans rebounded from early setbacks to post back-to-back victories and finish the day 2–2. Scotty Engle led the way at 149 pounds, going a perfect 4–0 with all four wins coming via bonus points, including multiple falls and a technical fall. Tevin Jackson and Luis Vasquez consistently provided points in the lower weights, while Kash Alley and Bob Tatum delivered key bonus-point wins in the upper weights as Colby built momentum throughout the day.
Labette enters the tri-dual with a 6–5 record prior to the NJCAA Coaches Duals and went 4–3 at the event, showcasing a roster that features more than 30 wrestlers. The Cardinals are led by Kyler Tabor, who won the Service Salute Tournament earlier this season and is ranked eighth nationally at 149 pounds. David Ritchey has also emerged as a top performer for Labette, while Braxton Moody (125), Michael Corbbrey (133), Kalvin LaPlant (157), and heavyweight Gabe Kant, who is nationally ranked, provide strength throughout their regular dual lineup.
Cowley comes into the week tied for 13th in the national rankings with two wrestlers ranked individually. Evan Rodriguez is ranked third at 141 pounds, while Jaxson Trotter sits sixth at 174. The Tigers went 2–1 at the NJCAA Coaches Duals, earning wins over No. 20 Carl Albert State and Colorado Northwestern, before falling to No. 2 Western Wyoming. Earlier this season, Cowley captured multiple individual titles, including first-place finishes by Colt Collett and Trotter at the Falcon Open, and three individual champions at the Maverick Open, highlighting their top-end talent on the roster.
With conference duals underway, the Trojans will look to carry their momentum into a challenging night against a two competitive opponents, including the No. 13 team in the nation.