Tough week ahead for local teams

OLATHE - With less than three weeks left until the Colorado High School State Wrestling Tournament, both Montrose and Olathe wrestling teams face tough league opponents this week.

The Indians travel to Grand Junction Thursday to face Southwestern League rival Tigers, who are ranked eighth in Class 5A on the wrestling mat.

While Friday, the No. 3 ranked Pirates host the Gunnison Cowboys, who are No. 6 in 3A.

Leading the way for Grand Junction is Taylor Young at 140 pounds and Robert Tucker at 215.

Young is ranked third in 5A while Tucker is ranked fourth.

Last season, the Tigers finished 21st at state and defeated the Montrose grapplers, 36-28 — despite the Indians winning seven of the 13 matches.

The Pirates and Cowboys Friday dual at Olathe High will feature another two tough wrestling squads.

Both teams have a combined seven ranked wrestlers, with Olathe having four and Gunnison three.

Leading the way for the Pirates are Bryson Gray (119) and Kyle Martinez (189), who are both ranked first in their respectful weight class.

Also helping out Olathe are Chris Diaz, who is ranked second at 160, and Jose Medina ranked fourth at 103.

Gunnison’s three ranked wrestlers are Eric Lee (171), Dustin Cadwell (152) and Levi Tredway (135).

Last season, the Pirates barely defeated the Cowboys 42-34 on a pin by Medina in the last dual.

Both squads finished in the top 10 at last season's state meet, with Olathe coming in fourth and Gunnison finishing eighth.

On the basketball court, the Olathe basketball squads host two tough teams this week. The teams host Gunnison Thursday and Roaring Fork Saturday.

The Lady Cowboys' team is 3-3 in the Class 3A Western Slope League and 4-6 overall. Gunnison has had Olathe's number the last three years — winning the last six meetings.

Roaring Fork comes into Saturday's matchup against Olathe 3-3 in the WSL.

However, the much-improved OHS squad is 2-4 in the league.

The Olathe boys’ squad is trying to end their four-game losing streak, against two of the top basketball teams in the WSL.

Gunnison brings a 4-2 league record into Thursday's meeting while Roaring Fork, ranked eighth in the Class 3A, are 6-0 in the WSL, including a 57-40 victory over the Pirates earlier this season.

The Montrose High basketball teams also face two tough league opponents.

Both squads host (G.J.) Central Friday and then travel to Fruita Monument Saturday.

The Lady Warriors are 3-1 in the Southwestern League, beating Grand Junction, 50-48 Tuesday night.

The Fruita Monument Lady Wildcats are 0-4 in the SWL, including a 68-34 loss to the Lady Indians earlier this season.

The Montrose High boys' basketball team is looking for its third victory in the SWL this weekend. The Indians host a 1-3 Warrior' squad and a Fruita Monument team that has beaten Central and Montezuma-Cortez.

The Lady Indians' swim team also hosts Aspen tonight.