Category: Boys Wrestling

All-state wrestling teams for the 2018-19 season

The 2018-19 all-state wrestling teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.

These teams were created based upon results at the state meet. Coaches and wrestlers of the year were selected by the Colorado High School Coaches Association at the state meet.

Scroll down to see the teams, or use the menu below to navigate to the class of your choosing.
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Class 5A

Cohl Schultz Ponderosa wrestling — (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

Wrestler of the year: Cohlton Schultz, Ponderosa

Coach of the year: Sam Federico, Pomona

First team
Name	Year	School	Weight
Daniel Cardenas	Freshman	Pomona	120
Vince Cornella	Sophomore	Monarch	113
Franklin Cruz	Sophomore	Pomona	182
Alec Hargreaves	Junior	Rocky Mountain	195
Austin McFadden	Senior	Prairie View	152
Justin Pacheco	Senior	Pomona	132
Kenny Sailas	Sophomore	Brighton	106
Marquez Salazar	Senior	Adams City	160
Fabian Santillan	Senior	Grandview	138
Cohlton Schultz	Senior	Ponderosa	285
Mosha Schwartz	Senior	Ponderosa	126
Antonio Segura	Sophomore	Regis Jesuit	145
Jay Skalecki	Senior	Grand Junction	170
Hunter Tobiasson	Senior	Grand Junction	220

Second team
Name	Year	School	Weight
Joey Airola	Freshman	Boulder	106
Keegan Bailey	Senior	Fruita Monument	195
Tyson Beauperthuy	Junior	Doherty	152
Kai Blake	Senior	Cherry Creek	170
Joshua Deaguero	Junior	Adams City	138
Armando Garcia	Sophomore	Denver East	113
Sam Hart	Sophomore	Cherokee Trail	220
Joey Joiner	Junior	Legacy	145
Austin Kelchen	Senior	Douglas County	160
Colin Lavell	Senior	Legend	285
Jaron Mahler	Sophomore	Ponderosa	120
Randy Myers	Sophomore	Castle View	132
Jake Welch	Senior	Valor Christian	182
Wyatt Yapoujian	Junior	Pomona	126

[divider]

Class 4A

State wrestling — (Ray Chen/ArrayPhoto.com)

Wrestler of the year: Andrew Alirez, Greeley Central

Coach of the year: Pat Laughlin, Pueblo East

First team
Name	Year	School	Weight
Andrew Alirez	Senior	Greeley Central	152
Patrick Allis	Senior	Discovery Canyon	126
Drake Engelking	Senior	Longmont	170
Christopher Fasano	Senior	Pueblo County	160
Zion Freeman	Senior	Pueblo East	195
Andy Garcia	Junior	Pueblo East	285
Brendon Garcia	Senior	Pueblo County	113
Jaxon Garoutte	Junior	Pueblo County	145
Darren Green	Junior	Broomfield	138
Brady Parker	Junior	Windsor	106
Dominic Robles	Senior	Pueblo East	220
Isaiah Salazar	Junior	Windsor	182
Dominick Serrano	Junior	Windsor	132
Will Vombaur	Senior	Windsor	120

Second team
Name	Year	School	Weight
Tyler Carpenter	Junior	Broomfield	285
Dominick Castro	Sophomore	Pueblo Centennial	106
Malachi Contreras	Junior	Mountain View	120
Jayson Davis	Senior	Pueblo County	182
Cody Eaton	Junior	Windsor	170
Xavier Espinoza	Senior	Pueblo East	113
NIco Gagliardi	Freshman	Cheyenne Mountain	195
Cole Hernandez	Senior	Pueblo Centennial	145
KJ Kearns	Senior	Pueblo County	160
Gage Pruitt	Senior	Canon City	220
Ryan Roth	Senior	Pueblo East	126
James Ruona	Senior	Canon City	132
Trevor Singleton	Senior	Pueblo County	152
Aaden Valdez	Junior	Pueblo East	138

[divider]

Class 3A

Wrestler of the year: Joe Chavez, Alamosa

Coach of the year: Gary Ramstetter, Alamosa

First team
Name	Year	School	Weight
Joe Chavez	Senior	Alamosa	126
Nick Gallegos	Junior	Jefferson	152
Isaiah Gamez	Junior	La Junta	120
Ty Garnhart	Senior	Eaton	170
Brady Hankin	Freshman	Woodland Park	106
Nathan Johns	Senior	The Classical Academy	182
Abe Leonard	Senior	Elizabeth	195
Angelo Lozado	Freshman	Jefferson	113
Cameron Lucero	Sophomore	Pagosa Springs	145
Emanuel Munoz-Alcala	Junior	University	285
Zane Rankin	Sophomore	Lamar	132
Isaiah Rios	Sophomore	Valley	138
Eli Smith	Senior	Salida	220
Jaziah Whaley	Junior	Valley	160

Second team
Name	Year	School	Weight
Ethan Andrade	Senior	Lamar	120
Austyn Binkly	Senior	Berthoud	145
Holt Brashears	Senior	Salida	195
Davion Chavez	Sophomore	Alamosa	106
Lucas Comroe	Junior	Eagle Valley	132
Toby Gavette	Senior	Eaton	113
Jimmy Gonzales	Senior	Pueblo Central	126
Oswaldo Nunez	Senior	Brush	152
Wyatt Pfau	Senior	Brush	170
Cody Ponce	Junior	Eagle Valley	220
Logan Thompson	Senior	University	285
Amos Wilson	Junior	Glenwood Springs	182
Dylan Yancey	Senior	Eaton	138
Josh Yancey	Junior	Platte Valley	160

[divider]

Class 2A

Wrestler of the year: Seth McFall, Fowler

Coach of the year: Matt Brown, Wray

First team
Name	Year	School	Weight
Louis Aguilar	Senior	Burlington	152
Anthony Aldretti	Sophomore	John Mall	132
Michael Atencio	Sophomore	Rye	113
Bennie Chacon	Senior	Centauri	285
Will Gabriel	Senior	Nucla	182
Trey Geyer	Sophomore	Cedaredge	120
Micah Hertrich	Junior	Buena Vista	160
Oran Huff	Sophomore	Lyons	126
Jace Logan	Senior	Soroco	170
Zach Martin	Senior	Centauri	145
Seth McFall	Senior	Fowler	106
Jesse Tapia	Junior	Rocky Ford	195
Taj Van der Linde	Senior	Cedaredge	220
Wesley VanMatre	Junior	John Mall	138

Second team
Name	Year	School	Weight
Jayce Bauer	Senior	County Line	220
Ethan Burns	Junior	Holly	152
Sergio Campos	Senior	Hotchkiss	132
Eyan Chavez	Freshman	Centauri	126
Tyler Collins	Sophomore	Wray	138
Anthony Felice	Senior	Paonia	195
Cade Hillman	Senior	Wray	160
Dillon Jaramillo	Senior	Rocky Ford	120
Tannen Kennedy	Senior	Meeker	145
Cole Miller	Freshman	Rye	106
Levi Peterson	Junior	Paonia	285
Hunter Planansky	Junior	Hayden	182
Cade Rockwell	Junior	Wray	113
Carlos Tarin	Senior	Wray	170

March 6, 2019

Video: Pomona and Jefferson shine during final night of state wrestling tournament

Jack Maher, Jeffco Public Schools multimedia specialist, gives one last look at the final night of the Colorado High School Activities Association’s state wrestling tournament Feb. 23 at Pepsi Center.

Along with Pomona winning its third Class 5A team title in four years, the Panthers grabbed three individual state crowns with freshman Daniel Cardenas (120 pounds), senior Justin Pacheco (132 pounds) and sophomore Franklin Cruz (182 pounds) finishing on top of the podium.

Jefferson worked its way into the Class 3A spotlight with freshman Angelo Lozado (113 pounds) and junior Nick Gallegos (152 pounds) both capturing their first state titles. Lozado became the first Saint to win a state wrestling title as a freshman.

February 26, 2019
An epic video recap of the 2019 state wrestling tournament

The 2019 state wrestling tournament saw three four-time champions, and a host of other epic moments over the three days at the Pepsi Center.

February 25, 2019
4A wrestling: Pueblo East wins first title in program history

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

DENVER — Pueblo East won its first wrestling title in school history at the Class 4A state wrestling championships. After losing the team race last year, this one was about redemption.

“We were in the same situation as last year: it was on me, Zion (Freeman) and Andy (Garcia),” Pueblo East’s Dominic Robles said after his match. “[Last year] two of us had to win, and me and Zion lost. I told them before our matches, before we won the team title, I told them, ‘We have to get redemption from last year.’”

After the Eagles ripped off three straight first place finishes off of two pins, they could breathe out.

“We have the best heavyweight room in the state,” Andy Garcia said. “Obviously, three back-to-back-to-back. Everyday it’s like that, it’s a battle, it’s a grind with all three of us.”

First, with the 195-pound match locked at two and under 30 seconds remaining in the last round, Zion Freeman pinned Cheyenne Mountain’s Nico Gagliardi.

Then came Robles. Robles narrowly lost last year in a 3-2 decision, but this year, he pinned Canon City’s Gage Pruitt in the 220-pound bout in 1:36.

“Right before my match, we clinched the team title, so that was going through my head,” Robles said. “I finally got the individual [title]. I came close last year, losing 3-2. I finally was able to accomplish my goal. Getting a pin in the first period of the state finals, that’s huge.”

Garcia capped the redemption run off in his heavyweight bout to claim his third straight title — a 4-3 decision over Broomfield’s Tyler Carpenter.

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

“I felt like I was going to dominate,” Garcia said. “We went out there, and in our first interaction [Carpenter] did a weird foot trip that caught my heel. I felt my knee give out, and that’s when I knew it was gonna be a long match.”

To Windsor and Pueblo County, first place finishes have been commonplace in recent years as five of the last eight 4A titles have come from the two schools.

This year, Pueblo County (181.5 team points) and Windsor (170) were in the thick of it, and rounded out the top three behind Pueblo East (200). Pueblo County made a push on the final day as three wrestlers took first place finishes.

“I always focus on myself and what I can do in my match, so I wasn’t really too worried about the team score,” Pueblo County’s Jax Garoutte said as the gap in the team race thinned. “It’s a great feeling to finally get it done and my teammates are getting it done, too. We’re all working hard, everything is paying off for us.”

With Windsor gunning for a repeat team championship and Pueblo County looking for its third title in four years, Pueblo East took the team title.

[divider]

Three wrestlers three-peat

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

Three wrestlers will be looking to become four-time champions next year. Dominick Serrano (Windsor), Isaiah Salazar (Windsor) and the previously mentioned Garcia (Pueblo East) all took first and held three fingers in the air in celebration.

Windsor’s Dominick Serrano continued his quest to become a four-time champion with a major decision over Canon City’s James Ruona in the 132-pound division.

“It would mean the world,” Serrano said on capturing the fourth title next year. “I’m just going to focus on winning another title. I just won one today — next year, it’s a new year and mindset. I’m after one state title, one state title next year.”

Serrano was fired up to get on the mat and keep Windsor climbing in the team scores.

“I was ready to get in there after seeing my two teammates win it,” Serrano said. “I was pumped it was my turn. I was ready to go.”

Windsor’s Isaiah Salazar joined his teammate Serrano as a three-time champion after a 10-0 major decision against Pueblo County’s Jayson Davis in the 182-pound division.

“We weren’t in the team race by any means, but just winning it for myself even as an individual— helping my brothers out — it was nice,” Salazar said.

The Wizards could have two four-time champions this time next year.

“Me and Dom next year, we have to take it one match at a time,” Salazar said. “We can’t look to get four right away. We have to grind the season out and see what happens at state.”

106-pound division

Windsor’s Brady Parker defeated Pueblo Central’s Dominick Castro with a 10-2 major decision in his first year wrestling at the state championships.

113-pound division

Pueblo County’s Brendon Garcia capped off his high school campaign as a four-time champion. He was the first of three four-time champions this year. Garcia came away with a 7-3 decision over Pueblo East’s Xavier Espinoza.

120-pound division

Will Vombaur gave Windsor its second individual champion with his pin of Mountain View’s Malachi Contreras.

126-pound division

Patrick Allis of Discovery Canyon placed first for the second year in a row with an 11-5 decision vs. Ryan Roth of Pueblo East. Allis was the 120-pound division champion in 2018.

138-pound division

Broomfield’s Darren Green grinded out a 3-2 decision vs. Pueblo East’s Aaden Valdez. Green, a junior, placed third in 2018.

145-pound division

After losing in a tiebreaker of last year’s championship, Pueblo County’s Jax Garoutte made his way back to the title bout. The result: A 10-2 major decision over Pueblo Central’s Cole Hernandez.

“I had a heartbreaker in the finals last year,” Garoutte said. “I’ve worked my butt off this season, so it’s just a reward for all my hard work. I wouldn’t sacrifice it for anything, I wouldn’t work any less hard. Man, it’s just a great feeling.”

Garoutte waited 371 days for a second chance.

“It weighed on me like, ‘Man I have this deep, dark place I don’t ever wanna go again,’” Garoutte continued. “That motivated me to keep wrestling in that match and put some points up.”

152-pound division

Greeley Central’s Andrew Alirez etched his name into the list of four-time champions with a pin vs. Pueblo County’s Trevor Singleton. Alirez, a perfect 36-0 this season, secured the pin in just over three minutes.

160-pound division

Christopher Fasano kept the wins flowing for Pueblo County with a 2-0 decision in his match against Coronado’s KJ Kearns. Fasano ended 2018 with a second place finish, losing to Mesa Ridge’s Elijah Valdez.

170-pound division

Longmont’s Drake Engelking held off Windsor’s Cody Eaton in a hard-fought 3-2 decision.

February 24, 2019
2A wrestling: Geyer adds to legacy at Cedaredge; Wray wins team title

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

DENVER — In one of the most spectacular venues for Colorado sports, the Pepsi Center, Trey Geyer became the first two-time wrestling champion for his school.

“It’s just another step closer to being what I’ve always dreamed about, the first four-timer in Cedaredge history,” he said of topping the 120-pound bracket. “Being the first two-timer is pretty amazing.”

When Sean Dale and Geyer clinched finals victories a season ago, they ended a 32-year title drought for the program. A surprisingly quick pin of Rocky Ford senior Dillon Jaramillo on Saturday, a Class 2A match that only took one minute, 47 seconds, was another achievement for Geyer.

What a way to open a prep career.

“I think it means a lot to everyone, because nobody’s really seen us as a wrestling school until the last couple years,” the sophomore said.

Geyer was a top-notch competitor all season with a 37-3 record. When he spoke after the match, his excitement had much to do with representing his program (Taj Van de Linde, 220 winner), his school, and even his family. His brother is working on the craft as well.

“He’s a sixth grader this year, so he’ll get to see what the middle school state championship is like back up here in April,” Geyer said.

The Cedaredge star was one of several repeat winners in 2A while the Eagles of Wray clinched back-to-back team titles with 166 points. The runner-up was Cedaredge with 96, just nipping Centauri (95).

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

As one of the more entertaining wrestlers under the bright lights, John Mall’s Wesley Van Matre put three fingers up and completed an acrobatic move after he defeated Tyler Collins (Wray) in the 138-pound finals.

“I told my buddy I would do a flip if I win and he didn’t believe I could do a backflip,” Van Matre stated matter-of-factly. “I think I won my bet.”

With a first round pin of his own (3:26), Van Matre positioned himself to become a four-timer as a senior. But, he won’t let his hunger diminish.

“I just want to get better at what I do every day and hopefully this happens next year,” the junior said. “The feeling gets better and better every year.”

John Mall teammate Anthony Aldretti rose up from the fifth seed to the top of the podium in the 132-pound class. He’s only a sophomore.

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

In the 106-pound division, Fowler senior Seth McFall (2A wrestler of the year) won back-to-back titles with a takedown of Rye freshman Cole Miller. One match later, Michael Atencio earned Rye’s first-ever individual state championship with a 5-1 decision over Rockwell.

Jayce Bauer (220) conquered a state bracket for the first time in his final prep match. Even better, he finished the season undefeated with a 39-0 record for County Line.

As for the team chase, Wray left no doubt who the 2A king would be this weekend. The Eagles didn’t have a single individual winner Saturday, but Collins, Cade Rockwell (113), Cade Hillman (160), and Carlos Tarin (170) all nabbed silver medals.

The Eagles now have 13 titles to their credit, but finally snapped a three-decade winless streak in 2018. Now they have begun a new championship era. Their depth and top-end talent led to a decisive win for coach Matt Brown’s crew and the tradition-rich Eagles were flying high again. Wray was able to top a terrific 2A field.

February 24, 2019
5A wrestling: Pomona claims third team title in four years

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

DENVER — It didn’t take Pomona long to regain the top perch in Class 5A wrestling.

“I wanted to grab five or six to be honest with you,” Pomona coach Sam Federico said after the Panthers won three individual state titles along with the team title. “We wrestled good. We’ve had a lot of injuries and they kind of came through.”

Brighton sophomore Kenny Sailas won the 106-pound title.
(Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

A year after Grand Junction prevented Pomona from a team championship three-peat, the Panthers dominated 5A during the three-day state tournament at Pepsi Center.

The drama of the Panthers winning their sixth team state title since 2000 was decided even before the title bouts took to the mats Saturday night at Pepsi Center. Pomona racked up 166.5 team points. Ponderosa finished second with 103.5 points.

“When you have a room with that many elite athletes we lean on each other. It’s a brotherhood,” Pomona senior Justin Pacheco said after winning the 132-pound title with a 1-0 win over Castle View sophomore Randy Myers. “I’ll give them all the support then need when I graduate and move on with my life. They are going to be a powerhouse for a long time.”

Pacheco ended his stellar career as a two-time individual state champion. The senior won the 113 title as a sophomore after placing sixth at state as a freshman. Pacheco lost a heartbreaker in the 120 state final a year ago.

He plans to wrestle at the Air Force Academy, but will have to have knee surgery before heading to Colorado Springs.

Pacheco said he has been wrestling with a torn meniscus and partial tear in his MCL in his left knee for the past month. He was thinking about not competing at regionals, but decided to battle through the pain.

Pomona senior Justin Pacheco takes Castle View sophomore Randy Myers during the 132-pound match.
(Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

“I needed to finish my senior year out. I was going to make it through somehow,” Pacheco said. “I’ll take a 1-0 win. It’s still a state title.”

Pomona’s depth across the board showed in the finals with all four finalists — freshman Daniel Cardenas (120 pounds), junior Wyatt Yapoujian (126), sophomore Franklin Cruz (182) and Pacheco — spanning on four grade levels.

Cardenas and Cruz won state titles, while Yapoujian had to settle for runner-up.

“We are doing well and where we need to be,” Federico said of the state of Pomona wrestling. “We just need to win some more matches. You always feel like that. You want to win more matches.”

Pomona had nine wrestlers head to the podium. Elijah Olguin (106) and Theorius Robison (145) placed third. Gage Bernall (152) took fourth. Jacob Judd (113) and Roman Cruz (160) placed sixth.

Robison was the surprise of not reaching a fourth straight final. The two-sport athlete was trying to become Pomona’s first four-time individual state champion, but an overtime loss in the semifinals Friday night ended that dream.

Pomona freshman Daniel Cardenas won the 120-pound title.
(Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

“There was good in the four years and there was bad,” said Robison, who ended his prep career with a 126-8 record. “I don’t really put losing in my head. I was taking it by winning each match and sometime you lose. Everyone loses.”

Injuries hampered his senior campaigns on the football field and wrestling mat, but Robison didn’t make that an excuse.

“Injuries are part of sports. You have to go through them,” Robison said. “If I’m on the mat I have to do what I need to do to win.”

Robison leaves Pomona being apart of three team title to go along with his three individual crowns.

“I’m very proud of the way our team preformed,” said Robison, who will attend the University of Northern Colorado in the fall where he plans on playing football and wrestling. “We did a lot a big things and had a lot of young guys show that they are going to be a problem for opponents in the future.”

Monarch sophomore Vince Cornella won his second straight title.
(Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

Grandview junior Fabian Santillan (138) and Monarch sophomore Vince Cornella (113) became two-time state champions during a night that was highlighted by three wrestlers joining the four-time state champion fraternity. Ponderosa senior Cohlton Schultz was the lone 5A wrestler to lock down his fourth title.

Cornella is halfway to joining the four-time group, but his focus this year was soak in the atmosphere during the three-day tournament.

“I can’t remember a single moment last year as a freshman down here,” Cornella admitted. “This year I tried to enjoy every moment.”

Looking ahead to next year and a third straight title is something that has to wait.

“I’ve got a freestyle tournament in three or four weeks. I’ll just get ready for that tournament,” Cornella said of the journey of winning four titles ahead. “It’s there, but I try not to focus on it at all.”

Ponderosa senior Mosha Schwartz claimed the 126-pound state title.
(Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)

February 24, 2019
History made: Three wrestlers become four-time state champions

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

DENVER – It was an historic night at Pepsi Center, something that wasn’t lost on those who were there to witness greatness first-hand.

From the spectators, to the coaches and to the wrestlers themselves, everyone could feel something special taking place Saturday night. For the first time in state history, three individuals accomplished the “four-peat” of four consecutive state titles at the state wrestling tournament.

A club that was 21 strong added Pueblo County’s Brendon Garcia, Greeley Central’s Andrew Alirez and Ponderosa’s Cohlton Schultz to the elite mix. It had been 14 years since more than one wrestler won a fourth title on the same night, and never before had three done it.

“That’s amazing. I’ve said it before – my class in general has been really outstanding,” Alirez said. “They always find a way to get it done.”

Garcia was the first to make it happen, winning the Class 4A 113-pound title early Saturday night with a 7-3 decision over Pueblo East’s Xavier Espinoza. Garcia became the second Hornet to win four championships, joining Hunter Willits, who did it two years ago.

“I’ve been dreaming of that moment ever since I saw Hunter Willits get his fourth,” Garcia said. “I just wanted to be in a similar spot.”

Alirez closed out a dominating prep career by pinning Pueblo County’s Trevor Singleton in three minutes, six seconds. He finished his four-year run with a 153-1 record, the only loss coming his sophomore year at the Doc Buchanan Invitational in California.

Alirez said he’s always been able to learn more from his losses than his victories, and he took the lessons from that tournament to heart.

“It’s bittersweet, but I’m glad it happened,” Alirez said. “I think God had a plan for me, and that plan was not winning the Doc Buchanan my sophomore year.

“It’s all a process – I’m enjoying it.”

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

Then there was Schultz, whose high school career has been the stuff of legend. Schultz closed out the tournament in style, pinning Legend’s Colin Lavell in 52 seconds.

Schultz spent less than three minutes combined on the mat in his four matches during the tournament, and is the state’s all-time winningest wrestler with a career record of 188-2.

“It’s crazy. It’s something I’ve dreamed of ever since I was a little kid,” Schultz said. “To make it come true, it’s incredible. It’s something I’ve worked for 15, 16 years now.”

Garcia and Alirez admitted that this weekend wasn’t their strongest showing, but they still found a way to battle through it. Garcia was fighting off an illness, and spent much of Saturday sleeping. He scored three takedowns during the match, and Espinoza was never able to get a good shot on him.

While the two Pueblo wrestlers didn’t face each other this year, Garcia said he had matched up with Espinoza when the two were younger.

Asked which was tougher, winning as a freshman or a senior, Garcia didn’t hesitate with his response.

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

“Definitely the last one,” Garcia said. “There was no pressure on the first ones. You’re just out there to make a name for yourself on the first ones.”

The opposite held true for Alirez, who won his first title by decision as a freshman. He said the difference this year was the experience and comfort level.

That doesn’t mean he didn’t feel the weight of the expectations that come with pursuing a fourth title.

“I actually did feel some pressure coming into this tournament. Nothing like on the mat, really,” Alirez said. “Just the feeling was a little different because I had so much riding on it. I’m usually good with just kind of letting it go, because I don’t like to dwell on wins and losses.”

Schultz joined Jake Snider as four-time champions from Ponderosa. He took Lavell down quickly, and after the Legend senior briefly got to his stomach, Schultz was able to turn him back and finish off his career with one final pin.

Schultz was calm and collected while waiting to finally take his turn on the mat. He said the pressure was there, but the key is knowing how to handle it.

“The biggest thing is to make sure I realize what I’m doing, I’m doing because I love wrestling,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun being out there. That’s the biggest thing for me, is making sure I’m having fun the whole time. When you’re having fun, you don’t really feel the pressure.”

All three wrestlers will compete at the next level. Schultz, the nation’s top recruit, will attend Arizona State. Garcia is headed to Wyoming, and Alirez chose to stay close to home with the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.

The trio expressed gratitude toward the teammates, coaches, family and fans that helped them along the way.

“I have so much appreciation for everybody,” Alirez said. “I don’t get to show it very much because I’m not kind of a sentimental guy, so they don’t get to know that. But for everybody out there supporting me, I’ve got mad love for you, and thank for everything you do.”

Four juniors – John Mall’s Wesley VanMatre, Windsor’s Dominick Serrano and Isaiah Salazar and Pueblo East’s Andy Garcia – won a third state title Saturday night and will make their own bid for a fourth championship next season.

February 24, 2019
3A wrestling: Alamosa claims second straight title, 13th overall

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

DENVER — If Alamosa is not already thought of as a bona fide Colorado wrestling dynasty, it is time to start. Since dropping down to the ranks of Class 3A, the Mean Moose has won five of the last nine 3A titles.

As of Saturday, that includes the 2019 title.

Alamosa did it with numbers. Of the 11 boys Alamosa qualified for the state tournament, Alamosa put eight on the podium — one first, two seconds, one third, two fourths, and two sixths. It is the program’s 13th wrestling title, the most of any school in the state.

The pace of placing was too much for the rest of the field to keep pace. There were schools with more first-place finishes than Alamosa, but none that scored up and down the order like the Mean Moose.

(Alan Versaw/CHSAANow.com)

Winning Alamosa’s lone state title this year was 126-pounder Joe Chavez. Chavez ended his high school career with his third consecutive individual title, a 7-2 decision over Jimmy Gonzales of Pueblo Central.

Part of getting there for Chavez was not spending much time looking back at past titles.

“I don’t compare one year to previous years,” offered Chavez. “I start each year with a new set of expectations.”

Among other things, that helps it keep from feeling like there’s a target on his back.

The demeanor of Alamosa coach Gary Ramstetter also helps to keep things on a steady course. In a wrestling world overflowing with emotive coaches, Ramstetter is a rock. He watches each match from his chair, but rarely has much to say during the match.

That calmness translates to his wrestlers. You don’t see Alamosa wrestlers wasting energy. You don’t see Alamosa wrestlers lurching into a panic when something doesn’t go right. And, way more often than not, the Mean Moose is in control of things when the match is over.

“I’ve been at it a long time, and [staying calm] is easier the longer you’ve been at it,” Ramstetter said.

And, what’s the most important thing that goes on at Alamosa practices? Ramstetter has an easy answer for that as well: “Drilling. I probably drill more than anybody.”

A younger coach might be inclined to worry about athletes losing interest with all the drilling. Ramstetter simply understands it’s part of a winning plan, so he’s stuck with it for better than 40 years now.

So, while a lot of programs emphasize the flash and fire, Alamosa is much more about getting one job done and moving to the next. It’s proven to be a successful approach to high school wrestling.

Alamosa’s 141.5 points put them easily in the driver’s seat for the team title. Eaton was second with 105. Eagle Valley and Jefferson tied for third at 97.5

While Eaton’s second-place finish evoked memories of last year, Eagle Valley and Jefferson were both vastly improved over last year. Last year, Eagle Valley tallied 35.5 points and Jefferson only 16.

Jefferson took Angelo Lozado (113) and Nick Gallegos (152) to finals. Both left with state titles, ones they weren’t favored to win. The Saints put two more wrestlers on the podium and left no doubt about 3A’s most improved program.

Eagle Valley also took two to finals but left without an individual title as Lucas Conroe was decisioned by Lamar’s Zane Rankin at 138, and Cody Ponce lost an overtime affair to Salida’s Eli Smith at 220.

(Alan Versaw/CHSAANow.com)

Two undefeated wrestlers fell in the finals. Nathan Johns of The Classical Academy earned his second consecutive title by defeating previously unbeaten Amos Wilson of Glenwood Springs at 182. Then, at 195, Salida’s undefeated Holt Brashears fell to a more deeply experienced Abe Leonard of Elizabeth in a 4-2 decision.

Pins, a staple of wrestling, were nearly impossible to come by.

After Woodland Park’s Brady Hankin pinned Davion Chavez of Alamosa at 106, no other 3A finals matches were decided by pin. In fact, there were neither technical falls nor major decisions to be found in the next 13 matches.

The 3A mat was rather consistently the last or next to last mat to finish at each weight class once Hankin had done his thing.

Quite possibly the most exciting 1-0 match you’ll ever see put Isaiah Gamez of La Junta ahead of Ethan Andrade of Lamar for the title at 120 pounds. Andrade had bested Gamez in two previous matches this season, but not this time.

Valley got a pair of individual titles from Isaiah Rios at 138 and Jaziah Whaley at 160. Pagosa’s Cameron Lucero, wrestling down a class from what he wrestled much of the season, won the title at 145. Eaton’s Ty Garnhardt bested Wyatt Pfau of Brush at 170 in a war of attrition that went to overtime. And University’s Emanuel Munoz-Alcala took the crown at 285 pounds.

Earlier in the day in 3A, Valley’s Angel Rios and Skyviews Jasylnn Gallegos became the first girls to ever place at the state tournament.

February 24, 2019
Photos: History made on final day of state wrestling tournament

DENVER — Three four-time champions were crowned on the final day of the 2019 state wrestling tournament at Pepsi Center.

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February 24, 2019
Regis Jesuit’s Antonio Segura ends Pomona’s Theorius Robison’s bid for fourth wrestling title

DENVER — Antonio Segura and Theorius Robison were once teammates. And as Robison’s legend grew at the state wrestling tournament, Segura just wanted an opportunity to see how he measured up against a childhood friend.

Turns out he measured up pretty well. Segura was methodical in his semifinal wrestling match against Pomona’s Theorius Robison. And it paid off. Segura took the match to overtime and made a move to pin the three-time state champion.

“I wanted it there (in overtime),” Segura said. “I either wanted to win by points and not let him score or at the end of overtime. I knew he was strong on his feet and not very good top and bottom. My top is okay and I knew I could get away from him. I wasn’t expecting to get the pin, but I felt it and knew I had to get it. I heard the time and I had to get the pin now or he could come back. He’s done it before.”

Segura took a 1-0 lead into the third period, but Robison quickly tied the match. They battled to a stalemate the remainder of the period before going into overtime.

The score went unchanged in the first minute and it was that first 30-second stretch after that Segura made his move. And what enabled him to do so was going into the match with no fear.

“If anything it was exciting,” Segura said. “I’ve kind of been the low flower guy in the club and under his shadow and I saw him and knew it was time to make a name for myself and to be something.”

Teammates as kids, Segura just wanted a chance to wrestle Robison. He never got the chance in practice and he’s never been able to wrestle him in an official match.

But with the win on the floor at Pepsi Center, Segura received the loudest ovation of the entire semifinal round.

He plans keeping the respect of the thousands in attendance on Saturday when he goes for the Class 5A 145-pound championship.

“No disrespect to the other competitors, but their side didn’t look as tough as my side, especially with the No. 1 seed,” Segura said. “I’m feeling confident. No really cocky, but I’m feeling confident going into it.”

(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)

February 23, 2019