Turnabout is very much fair play in the wrestling world, and when presented an opportunity to reverse his fortune, Stocker Robbins capitalized.
Pinned by Kolton Dickinson of Sedgwick County during the first period of their quarterfinal clash at Paonia's 2016 Screaming Eagle Invitational, Ignacio's junior 113-pounder recovered by defeating two opponents from Hotchkiss and one from the Norwood-Nucla to not only stay alive in the consolation rounds but ultimately take revenge, 9 to 2, over Dickinson to finish the meet 4-1 and in third place.
Robbins was ranked third in Class 2A going in to the meet.
Unfortunately, only one other Bobcat would finish as close to the top in any of the other weights, and IHS left the competitive event in 10th place.
The Bobcats were competing only 36 hours after an odd home dual versus 4A Durango. The final score was announced as 48-48, but if no points were awarded for mutually-vacant weights, Ignacio was victorious 33-30. Just how competitive was the Paonia meet? Fifth in On The Mat's 2A team rankings going in, Hotchkiss prevailed with 229 points. Meeker took second, followed by La Jara Centauri (204), Paonia (203.5), unranked Cedaredge (136.5) and #4 Norwood-Nucla (131.5).
Tenth in the 2A poll, as well as the Screaming Eagle, Jordan Larsen's 'Cats racked up 91 points and finished well ahead of ranked 3A's Delta (#8; 15th place, 23.5) and Olathe (#4; 18th, 11).
IHS' third-ranked Lorenzo Peña, after losing in the 160-pound quarter-final, then lost one semifinal bout. Peña (4-2 tourney record) fought back to save fifth place after Cedaredge sophomore Drew Markley forfeited.
Junior Dalton Mickey also contributed fifth-place points to Ignacio's group effort, and also went 4-2 during the day after his last scheduled opponent at 145 pounds, Norwood-Nucla freshman William Gabriel, forfeited.
Junior Timmy Plehinger did not place after going 2-2 at 152, nor did senior Tyler Beebe at 132 (after going 2-1 in the single-elimination bracket), but IHS didn't re-board the bus without at least one Screaming Eagle champ.
Going 4-0 at 138 pounds (where he was ranked #2), junior Ethan Appenzeller remained undefeated this winter and finished his drive to the title with a ridiculous 17-1 technical fall of Cedaredge's Colton Hoerr and a 15-0 TF of Centauri soph Brian Shawcroft.
Ignacio will host its annual Butch Melton Memorial Invitational tomorrow, with lead-up duals tonight.
SCREAMING EAGLE STANDINGS: 1.Hotchkiss 229, 2.Meeker 210.5, 3.La Jara Centauri 204, 4.Paonia 203.5, 5.Cedaredge 136.5, 6.Norwood-Nucla 131.5, 7.Sedgwick County-Fleming 123, 8.Palisade 99, 9.Montrose 93, 10.IGNACIO 91, 11.Hayden 85.5, 12.Oak Creek Soroco 55, 13.Kremmling West Grand 43, 14.Dove Creek 33, 15.Delta 23.5, 16.Rangely 22.5, 17.Mancos 12.5, 18.Olathe 11, T-19.Center/Walden North Park 10.
CHAMPIONS: 106-Zach Martin (Centauri); 113-Joe Chavez (Centauri); 120-Quinton Montague (Centauri); 126-Sackett Chesnik (Paonia); 132-Keith Graham (Sedgwick County-Fleming); 138-ETHAN APPENZELLER (IGNACIO); 145-Bo Pipher (Paonia); 152-Casey Turner (Meeker); 160-Terrance Williams (Palisade); 170-T.J. Shelton (Meeker); 182-Devon Pontine (Meeker); 195-Brandon Anderson (Sedgwick County-Fleming); 220-Trevor Smith (Paonia); Hwt-Devon Chacon (Centauri).
