Holly Wildcats Weekly Update, February 25, 2014

Two of the athletic programs from Holly will try to extend their seasons this week, as the basketball teams get started with their district tournament, while the wrestlers wrapped up their year with last weekend’s state tournament.

As a team, the Holly wrestlers finished in a tie for 13th place last weekend in the Class 2A state tournament at the Pepsi Center. The Wildcats finished the event with 56 points, tied with Burlington. Individually, Ryan Nordyke won the 138 pound class, pinning Jose Chavez of Center in 1:42. Nordyke won his opening match against Garret Arnold of Byers by pinfall in 3:33. That was followed by a 7-3 decision over Nick Jones of Dove Creek. In his semifinal match, Nordyke took a 9-5 decision over the top seed, Seth Harrington of Sedgwick County/Fleming.

Christian Orozco finished fourth at 126 pounds, losing to eventual champion Jesse Reed of Paonia in the second round. Orozco then battled his way to the podium, winning three straight consolation matches. The senior lost the third place match to Earl Brewer of Crowley County by pin in 3:24. Brendon Crum also lost his second round match to a Paonia wrestler, but he fought his way back to claim fifth place at 120 with a 2-0 decision over Hayden Holtorf from Yuma. Cole Burns also medaled, taking sixth at 132. Just like Orozco and Crum, Burns was defeated in the second round by an opponent from Paonia. Burns eventually lost to Martin Torres of Burlington, 8-2, in the fifth place match.

Austin Palmer won his first match at 160 pounds, but then lost his next two, and freshman, Brandon Palmer dropped both of his matches. Burns, Orozco and Austin Palmer all wrapped up their high school careers, while Nordyke (junior) and Crum (sophomore) will join Brandon Palmer as they return for another run next year.

Holly’s boys basketball team will be the #2 seed in the District 3 tournament that got underway Tuesday night at the Lamar Community College Wellness Center. The Wildcats will take a two-game losing streak into Friday night’s semifinal against Wiley. Holly dropped games to Granada (51-45) and Elkhart, KS (59-54) last week.

The Lady Wildcats are also the #2 seed in their district tournament, but they are trending in a different direction than the boys. Coach Randy Holmen’s squad has won four straight entering Friday’s clash with #3 Walsh in the semifinals. The last two wins by the Lady Wildcats came against Granada (55-36) and Elkhart, KS (69-55).

Win or lose on Friday, both Holly teams will play on Saturday. Third place games get underway at 3 pm on Saturday, with the top three finishers qualifying for next weekend’s regional round in Pueblo.

By Kerry Sherman – @sportsguykerry

Colorado high schools for Colorado Preps. Kerry is in his third year of streaming high school sports online for Colorado Preps, and this is his 23rd year of covering high schools for various print and online outlets throughout Colorado. He also has nine years of coaching experience, with the boys basketball programs at Woodlin and Otis.