Eagles Open Season Strong at Rugged Hoxie Invitational

The Colby High School wrestling team opened its season Saturday with its annual trip to the always-demanding Hoxie Invitational, a tournament known for early-season intensity and deep brackets. The Eagles rose to the challenge, finishing as the tournament runner-up with 184 team points, trailing only host Hoxie’s 221.5.

Head coach Cole Garcia said the opener gave him exactly what he hoped to see. He noted that first-tournament jitters are normal, but Colby handled them well. Garcia was particularly encouraged by the conditioning level of this year’s group, explaining that last season the Eagles dropped some matches late. This time, he saw wrestlers pushing the pace and finishing strong in the third period. Just as important, he said he saw a team eager to improve—one that listened, adjusted, and worked through every match.

Colby crowned three individual champions at Hoxie: Ryder Dempewolf at 120, Nathan Schroeder at 138, and Eric Schroeder at 150. Dempewolf dominated his bracket with two falls to open the day before sealing the title with a 23-6 tech fall over Russell’s Xzephren Donner in the finals, scoring 23.5 team points. The performance earned Dempewolf the title of Outstanding Wrestler at the tournament.

Nathan Schroeder delivered one of the strongest performances of the tournament, pinning all three opponents, including Hoxie’s Gage Epp in the championship match, to finish 3-0 with 24 team points. Garcia highlighted the senior’s nonstop tempo and said he wrestled exactly the way the coaching staff has encouraged him to. Eric Schroeder completed the sweep of titles by tech-falling two opponents on his way to the finals, then grinding out a 5-3 decision over Hoxie’s Noah Nickelson to stand atop the podium at 150 pounds.

In addition to the three champions, five other Eagles reached the finals, giving Colby eight total championship-round appearances. At 113 pounds, Julian Salcido opened with a tech fall before finishing second. Ethan Reinert followed at 126, advancing to the title match behind a semifinal pin before falling to Hoxie’s Tyler Meyer. At 132, Talon Wark put together an impressive run that included two early pins before dropping a tight 1-0 decision in the championship.

Colby nearly added a second family title when Vance Dempewolf pinned his first two opponents at 157, ultimately finishing as runner-up. The upper weights were anchored by McCager Wright, who pinned his quarterfinal opponent and earned a major decision in the semifinals before placing second at 215.

The Eagles’ depth showed throughout the day. Pierce Bartlett rebounded from a semifinal loss at 144 pounds and fought back with two determined victories to place third. Dalton Jacob did the same at 165, winning a pair of consolation matches by fall to claim third as well. Laken Sharpe at 106 and Boston Woofter at 175 gained valuable experience in their first high-school varsity tournament, battling in tough early-season brackets.

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Garcia said he appreciated the entire team’s attitude, noting that regardless of outcome, his wrestlers fought every position and refused to give up anything easy. That willingness to be coached, he added, will matter even more as the year progresses.

Colby leaves Hoxie with momentum, several standout individual performances, and a strong runner-up team finish at one of western Kansas’ toughest opening-weekend tournaments. Garcia said the Eagles are committed to building on this foundation as the competition intensifies, encouraged by both the results and the work ethic behind them.

Next, the Eagles will host their 40th annual Eagle Invitational at the Colby Event Center, matches begin Friday Dec. 12 at 1pm.

by Derek White