Trojans Measure Progress Against JUCO Field at Barton’s Cougar Open

The Colby Community College wrestling team took an important midseason measuring stick over the weekend, traveling to Great Bend to compete in the Cougar Open hosted by Barton Community College. With 10 junior college programs in attendance and 95 wrestlers entered, the event provided the Trojans with a clear look at the level of competition they will face throughout the district and postseason.

For head coach Joseph Cornejo, the value of the tournament extended beyond placings and points. The Cougar Open offered a concentrated dose of JUCO matchups, allowing Colby’s lineup to test itself against familiar rivals and emerging contenders as the season progresses. Cornejo said the overall performance matched what he hoped to see at this point on the calendar, noting steady improvement and growth across the roster.

One of the top performances of the day came from 149-pounder Scotty Engle, who finished third after a strong run through the bracket. Engle opened his tournament with a first-period fall over Otero’s Kevin Cisneros, rebounded from a semifinal loss with another pin in the consolation semifinals, and capped his day with a decisive fall in the third-place match. His ability to score bonus points and finish matches stood out as a positive sign for the Trojans moving forward.

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At 157 pounds, Jovanny Arellanes also delivered a standout showing, earning a third-place finish while racking up multiple falls. Arellanes battled back through the consolation bracket after an early setback, securing pins in three consecutive matches to claim third place. His consistency in key positions and ability to capitalize late in matches reflected the technical progress Colby’s coaching staff has emphasized in recent weeks.

The Trojans also saw solid production in the lower and middle weights. At 133 pounds, Talon Suttles advanced to the championship bout, finishing as the runner-up after a tech fall in the quarterfinals and a semifinal pin. Although he came up short in the finals, Suttles’ run demonstrated his ability to compete deep into a tough bracket. Luis Vasquez, also at 133, fought his way back after an early loss to place sixth, earning two technical falls along the way.

Heavyweight action provided additional positives, as Kevaun Jones placed fifth at 285 pounds with three wins in the consolation rounds, including a pair of falls. Robert Tatum added a sixth-place finish at the same weight, stringing together multiple victories after dropping his quarterfinal bout.

Other Trojans gained valuable mat time in challenging brackets, including Sebastian Rodriguez at 141, who placed eighth, and Gunner Owens at 174, who finished seventh. While not every match went Colby’s way, the tournament served its purpose as a developmental checkpoint for a roster still refining its approach.

Cornejo said the team is making tangible progress week by week, particularly in cleaning up mistakes and improving how wrestlers connect attacks in sequence. He emphasized that while there is still work to be done, the Trojans are trending in the right direction and building toward their peak as the season reaches its most important stretch in late February and early March.

by Derek White