Steamboat Springs — Hayden wrestling coach Ty Zabel said the two-week vacation that began after his team’s Saturday tournament in West Grand couldn’t come at a better time. Illness and injuries have set a number of Tigers on the shelf, and the break will help the team return strong in January.

The Tigers will have plenty of good memories to carry them through the time away from the mats. Hayden fought through one of its best tournaments yet Saturday, finishing third in the 14-team field at West Grand.

“We wrestled well,” Zabel said. “We had some kids who couldn’t make it due to sickness, but we had a good day.”

Hayden finished with 128.5 points, 8.5 behind second-place Norwood. Entering the finals round, the Tigers were just nine back of eventual champion Glenwood Springs, which finished with 146 points.

Hayden finished with two individual champs. Coy Letlow remained undefeated on the season, overcoming a tough semifinal match before breezing through the final at 189 pounds.

Jake MaGee, meanwhile, won for the first time at 152 pounds.

“Jake sat out last week because of a dislocated shoulder, but we got it put back in and he went in with a great attitude and wrestled tough,” Zabel said. “He capitalized on the other kids’ mistakes and had some great shots early in the day and some super takedowns.”

Hayden also got strong performances from Mitchel Doolin and Treyben Letlow, who both finished second. Mitchell Vedepo was third at 130 pounds, and Scott Armbruster and Chad Terry each placed fourth.

Soroco happy with meet

Lauryn Bruggink led the Soroco wrestling team in its meet at West Grand. The freshman, wrestling at 103 pounds, finished second in the 14-team tournament.

“She wrestled her heart out,” Rams coach Jay Whaley said. “She beat some really tough kids and wrestled tough all day.”

David Strait also placed for Soroco, finishing third at 145 pounds. His day was nearly ruined early when he was pinned after taking a 13-3 lead in a match. He battled back to place, however.

Robert Fales, also wrestling at 103 pounds but weighing in at only 81, advanced to the semifinals but didn’t manage to finish in the top four.

Ben Strait went 2-2 at 152 pounds, and Tristan Paylo was 1-2 in the tournament.

“That’s usually a tough tournament and they did pretty well,” Whaley said of the team.

– To reach Joel Reichenberger, call 871-4253 or e-mail jreichenberger@steamboatpilot.com