Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — The Soroco Rams wrestling team returned to the mats Saturday in South Park and earned the first team title of the new year with a dominating performance.

Matt Iacovetto, Whittier Gates and C.J. Horn led the charge by winning individual titles. Iacovetto topped the field in the 119-pound division, Gates won the 152-pound bracket and Horn won the title at 275.

The Rams also got solid showings from 112-pounder Josh Iacovetto -- who has placed second in two tournaments since returning to the team in late December -- 130-pounder Shayne Bruggink and 140-pounder Cody Denning. All took second place in South Park.

The Oak Creek team's 125-pounder, Joe Crawford, and 135-pounder Chris Fuller both placed third at the tournament.

As a team, Soroco finished 40 points ahead of the second-place team, Faith Baptist. Host South Park placed third and West Grand followed in fourth.

"It was a pretty small turnout," South Park coach Joe Wedow said.

"But the level of competition was good -- especially that close to the holiday break."

Rams coach Doug Gates said he was happy with the way his team looked in its first match since the 10-day holiday break.

Gates said he was still missing a few wrestlers from the 11-member squad but expects to be back at full strength this week in Paonia. The tournament normally draws roughly 18 teams and should be close to full because the holiday break will be over, Gates said.

Gates is hoping 135-pounder Brandon Ager will build on the tournament title he captured in Kremmling on Dec. 21.

The Rams senior is off to his best start ever with a 10-0 mark and is on track to make his fourth state appearance.

"He has gone to state every year," Gates said. "He has never placed, but I feel like he should have."