BHS wrestling opens 2017 at Eagle Valley tourney
The Basalt High School wrestling team competed for the first time in 2017 on Saturday at the Eagle Valley Tournament, where it took eighth with 62 points in a 17-team field.
Hotchkiss dominated the tournament with 237 points, followed by Buena Vista’s 137.5 points.
The highlight for Basalt was a first-place finish from junior heavyweight Oswaldo Morales. Morales, who advanced to the semis after a pair of byes, pinned both of his opponents, including Hotchkiss wrestler Joseph Nault (2:53) in the championship.
Other BHS placers included 220-pounder Ernesto Lopez taking third. He lost in the semifinals after a quarterfinal win, but bounced back with a 3-2 decision over Battle Mountain’s Demetrio Velasco in the third-place match. Also, 152-pounder Julius Vazquez took fourth after falling in the semifinals as well.
Basalt next competes Tuesday at Moffat County and Thursday at a dual hosted by Battle Mountain.
