Page grapplers ready for super regional

Posted by Quentin Jodie | Jan 9, 2024 | Wrestling |

WINDOW ROCK
The upcoming Super Regional Wrestling Invitational will have 16 boys and 15 girls teams competing.

Monument Valley is hosting the single-day tournament on Wednesday that will feature schools from the 1A, 2A and 3A level.

Among the schools competing are Alchesay, Chinle, Hopi, Ganado, Greyhills Academy, Joseph City, Many Farms, Monument Valley, Page, Piñon, Red Mesa, Shonto Prep, Tuba City, Valley, Williams, and Window Rock.
The Piñon girls is the lone squad that will not have a team present at the one-day tournament.

“We want to do our best at the super regionals,” Page coach Kyran Keisling said. “That’s a big one for us and we want to represent well.”

Page is coming off a fifth-place finish at last Saturday’s Joseph City Invitational. Seven wrestlers made the podium for the Sand Devils as Page finished with a team score of 167 points.

Mogollon won the 24-team Joseph City meet with 240 points , followed by American Leadership Academy – Queen Creek (175), Wickenburg (175), Bagdad (171) and Page.

Page was paced by Ian Yellowhair as the junior grappler took second in the 190-pound weight class. The Sand Devils also received third-place finishes from Connor Peterson at 126, Tsinajinnie Green (138), Landon Masker (165) and Tairick Tadytin (285).

“We didn’t have anybody that won but, man, as a team we kind of represented well,” Keisling said. “We won almost every medal match that we were in. It’s a really good way to finish for the kids.
“I think we jump several spots at the end for us to get fifth,” he added.

At the super regional tournament, the Keisling-coached team will fill every weight class except at 113, which puts them on track to win this year’s title.

“I wouldn’t say we’re the favorites,” the Page coach said. “Monument Valley is always tough. They’re getting their team together and they should be right up there.

“I’m bringing everybody that I have, but we have some teams that have some really good wrestlers at certain weight classes,” he added. “They’re solid wrestlers so our individuals are going to be challenged.”

Keisling expects Peterson and Yellowhair to challenge for a super regional title at their respective weight classes.

“Those two guys are in contention for gold at any of our tournaments coming up in our schedule,” he said. “They’re capable of making the finals and winning gold.”

Keisling is also expecting big things from Trina Bennett and Ilina Robbins in the girls tournament. At the Joseph City Invitational, the two wrestlers finished as reserve champions.

Navajo Times | Quentin Jodie

Page wrestler Ilina Robbins (bottom) battles Window Rock’s Paige Kee in the 165-pound championship bout at the Joseph City Invitational on Saturday. Kee pinned the Page wrestler in the second period of the title. Bennett lost her championship bout to Red Mesa’s Rheanna Tree at 126 while Robbins came up short to Window Rock’s Paige Kee in the 165 finals.

“We came up short to our region opponents, but they wrestled really well to make the finals,” Keisling said of his two female wrestlers. “Those girls from those two schools are really tough. It’s going to be competitive, but we’re looking forward to a rematch.”