Tim Yount of On The Mat provides weekly wrestling rankings for teams and individuals in all weight classes. To see individual rankings, you can subscribe to On The Mat’s full rankings.
To subscribe via PayPal, choose your subscription option on this page click on the corresponding PayPal button. To subscribe by mail or fax and pay by personal check, click here for a printable subscription form. Email Tim Yount at tim@onthematrankings.com with questions.
To purchase individual weeks of the rankings (as opposed to the entire season), you will need to use the printable subscription form and pay by check. The season ranking subscriptions are offered at a discounted rate.
Collin Williams and Thompson Valley are in search of the school’s first wrestling championship. (Lori Williams)
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n 1977, Thompson Valley wrestling was in its second year of existence. The Eagles became a family affair as Dan Juergensen, the TV coach from 1977 to 2003, went 365-101-4 before giving the reigns to his son Dave, the current head of the program.
They haven’t looked back since.
Much has changed since 1977, but one thing remains the same — Thompson Valley wrestling is a force. The school in south Loveland has claimed 27 conference, regional, or district championships as a team in its 38 seasons. They’ve produced seven individual state champions. They’ve had greats like Johnny Ortega (155-11 career record), a 2008 grad who placed third, second, third, and first at the state meet, and Steve Gerrard, a state champ his senior year and a club national champion for Colorado State University in 2009.
So what’s missing from Thompson Valley’s storied tradition on the mat?
They have yet to earn a state championship as a team. After placing second at the 4A state meet a season ago, the highest finish in school history, this group of Eagles hopes to earn the ultimate prize.
“I think it would finally put us over the edge,” Thompson Valley coach Dave Juergensen said of the importance of a state title.
“We’ve always been known as a dual team and I’m really into duals. I think that brings the whole team aspect into the sport, but that would get a big monkey off our back for sure. We wouldn’t get the, ‘Well you guys have never won state’-type comments anymore. That would be huge.”
Thompson Valley won the Northern Colorado Christmas Tournament this season. (Lori Williams)
By all indications, Thompson Valley’s title pursuit is off to a great start. The Eagles captured the prestigious Northern Colorado Christmas Tournament championship for the first time in school history by racking up a monstrous 334 points, well clear of runner-up Pueblo County with 218.5.
“It meant a lot,” senior Ben Hewson, a state runner-up last year, said of winning the Christmas tournament. “Pueblo County, they are ranked second and are right behind us and we blew them out. It was a big one just to see where we’re at. Obviously we still need to work on stuff, but it was good knowing we’re ahead.”
“That one was special, because we had this round in the quarters where I think we only lost one match,” Juergensen added. “That kind of set the tone for the rest of the tournament. Then they seemed to pick up steam after the quarters and even finished it off in the finals.
“A lot of times when we are in those bigger tournaments, we’ve been getting to those finals, but not winning. I think they’ve just matured enough as a team where they are starting to get it done. We went right into Christmas break after that and felt good.”
A star-studded lineup with eight returning state qualifiers, five returning state placers, and seven wrestlers currently ranked No. 1 or 2 two in 4A in their respective weight classes and it’s no wonder top-ranked TV wears the target as the team to beat.
But, like most teams, the Eagles haven’t gone through the season free of adversity. Parker Simington, undefeated and ranked number one at 160 pounds, had a minor knee injury at the Arvada West Invite on January 17. The junior was still able to finish the match and won by technical fall, but Juergensen said they will be cautious with Simington and sit him out of the lineup for a few weeks.
A slight injury certainly doesn’t change Juergensen and his team’s expectations though.
Parker Simington. (Lori Williams)
“Parker was our first state champ that we’ve had that wasn’t a senior,” Juergensen said. “This will be the first time ever that we’ve had the chance to have an individual be a state champion more than once and I think that’s special.”
Another thing that’s special? Having an opportunity to earn title number one as a team.
“The intensity in the room has picked up a lot since last year and last year we were up there in the state, obviously,” Hewson said. “We all know what we need to do. We all want to win that state title.”
“We’ve taken fifth numerous times,” Juergensen said. “By getting to second, we realized that we’re ready to make a move and we’re about to the point where we need to make a run at it.
“Even in the finals (last year), there was one point there for about fifteen minutes when it showed up on the Jumbotron that we were in first. I think they saw that and got a taste of being in first at the state tournament. Because of that, we’ve just had blinders on and have been real focused all year. It’s a good group.”
Arvada West senior Payton Tawater, right, lines up Thompson Valley senior Ben Hewson during the 152-pound title bout Saturday. Tawater rallied from a first-period deficit to win 8-5. (Dennis Pleuss)
ARVADA — After a long day of a prep-wrestling tournament it’s not typical for the champions to get a handshake of an Olympic gold medalist cap off the day.
However, that was the case Saturday during the 51st annual Arvada West Classic Invitational. Jordan Burroughs, 2012 Olympic gold medalist and two-time NCAA wrestling champion, was at Arvada West High School to handout the awards at the end of the night.
Olympic gold medalist and two-time NCAA wrestling champion Jordan Burroughs poses for a photo with Arvada West senior Devin Rothrock on Saturday night after the conclusion of the Arvada West Classic Invitational. (Dennis Pleuss)
“It feels awesome to be honest,” A-West senior Devin Rothrock said after being congratulated by Burroughs following a pin of Grand Junction senior Tyler Zook in the first period to win the 220-pound weight class. “I’ve been working hard, sometimes two or three practices a day since football.”
Rothrock didn’t start wrestling until after winter break because of a broken hand. The returning state champion hasn’t missed a beat improving to 16-0 this season with four first-period pins Saturday.
As a team, A-West looks to be on the same path to defend its 5A state team title. The Wildcats, ranked No. 1 in the latest On the Mat rankings produced to Tim Yount, won their own tournament Saturday night. Pomona (5A, No. 2) finished second, Thompson Valley (4A, No. 1) took third and Grand Junction (5A, No. 3) placed fourth in one of the deepest tournaments before regionals.
“For Arvada West it’s still a ‘mini-state,’” Rothrock said. “It was tough today. It’s a good benchmark to see where you are and what you need to work on.”
A-West finished with three champions in seniors Jimmy Rothwell (145), Payton Tawater (152) and Rothrock. Rothwell dominated Grandview senior Randall Brown for a 9-1 major decision. While Tawater, returning state champion, had a bit of a tougher time in a match-up against the No. 1 wrestlers ranked at 152 pounds in 5A and 4A.
Thompson Valley senior Ben Hewson jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead in the first period with a takedown and near-fall. However, Tawater rallied from the deficit to put out an 8-5 victory.
“As time has gone on I don’t let the little things bother me,” Tawater said of the come-from-behind win. “Maybe when I was a freshman or sophomore that would stick in my head the rest of the match, but now I just focus on scoring more points.”
Tawater improved to 22-3 on the season. The senior believes A-West’s tough schedule that has taken the Wildcats to tournaments in Ohio and Virginia this season.
“There is always a target on our back I guess, but we just meet the pressure and show everyone we are still the best,” Tawater said.
Pomona senior Travis Torres, top, works on Thompson Valley junior Vlad Kazakov during the 120-pound championship match Saturday. (Dennis Pleuss)
Pomona, last year’s runner-up in 5A, had a strong performance Saturday. The Panthers claimed a pair of individual titles with senior Travis Torres (120) and junior Deyaun Trueblood (170). Torres defeated Thompson Valley junior Vlad Kazakov 5-2. Kazakov is ranked No. 1 at 120 pounds in 4A and was undefeated coming into the title bout.
“I treat it like any other match going in,” Torres said of the battle of top-ranked wrestlers. “I wanted to win. I just go out and score as many points as I can or get the pin. Just have fun with it.”
Torres trailed 1-0 going into the third period, but pulled off a 2-point reversal in the first 30 seconds of the final period before scoring a 3-point near-fall.
“To be honest I kind of fell into it,” Torres admitted of the reversal. “I was trying to grab his leg from underneath him, but I felt him getting high and I was able to get behind him.”
Trueblood, who won an individual state title at Gateway last season, dominated his title match against Thompson Valley sophomore Mike Berg.
Grand Junction was able to match A-West when it came to individual champions. Freshmen Dylan Martinez (106), Josiah Rider (138) along with senior and returning state champion Jacob Trujillo (160) proved why the Tigers would be in contention for individual titles when the state tournament rolls around Feb. 19-21 at Pepsi Center.
“I treat it just like a race,” Torres said about moving forward toward regionals and state. “Start hard, but finish harder.”
Grand Junction freshman Josiah Rider, left, tries to pull Arvada West senior Bennie Pachello to his back during the third period of the 138-pound championship match Saturday at the Arvada West Classic Invitational. (Dennis Pleuss)
[divider]
Results
Team:
Arvada West, 185
Pomona, 177
Thompson Valley, 166
Grand Junction, 124
Coronado, 104
Broomfield, 96.5
Chaparral, 85.5
Brighton, 74.5
Grandview, 65
Grand Junction Central, 64
Monarch, 59
Adams City, 49
Durango, 40
Fountain-Fort Carson, 34
Bear Creek, 9.5
Arvada West senior Devin Rothrock lifts Grand Junction senior Tyler Zook off the mat during Rothrock’s first-period pin Saturday night. (Dennis Pleuss) Championship matches:
106: Dylan Martinez, Grand Junction, dec. Dayton Marvel, Pomona, 7-5
113: Morgan Fogg, Thompson Valley, major dec. Frank Martinez, Chaparral, 10-2
120: Travis Torres, Pomona, dec. Vlad Kazakov, Thompson Valley, 5-2
126: Darek Huff, Broomfield, dec. Xavier Cardenas, Grandview, 10-8 OT
132: Jess Hankin, Coronado, dec. Jason Romero, Pomona, 6-4 OT
145: Jimmy Rothwell, Arvada West, major dec. Seth Brown, Grandview, 9-1
152: Payton Tawater, Arvada West, dec. Ben Hewson, Thompson Valley, 8-5
160: Jacob Trujillo, Grand Junction, fall Aaron Trygstad, Chaparral, :54
170: Deyaun Trueblood, Pomona, major dec. Mike Berg, Thompson Valley, 14-3
182: Patrick Cunnion, Durango, dec. Cameron Gonzales, Pomona, 5-2
195: David Eusea, Thompson Valley, fall Zach Gomez, Arvada West, 3:41
220: Devin Rothrock, Arvada West, fall Tyler Zook, Grand Junction, 1:48
285: Dan Drimmer, Chaparral, fall Mason Watt, Broomfield, :53
Coronado senior Jess Hankin, left, and Pomona sophomore Jason Romero square off in the 132-pound title match Saturday night. Hankin took a narrow 6-4 overtime victory. (Dennis Pleuss)
Tim Yount of On The Mat provides weekly wrestling rankings for teams and individuals in all weight classes. To see individual rankings, you can subscribe to On The Mat’s full rankings.
To subscribe via PayPal, choose your subscription option on this page click on the corresponding PayPal button. To subscribe by mail or fax and pay by personal check, click here for a printable subscription form. Email Tim Yount at tim@onthematrankings.com with questions.
To purchase individual weeks of the rankings (as opposed to the entire season), you will need to use the printable subscription form and pay by check. The season ranking subscriptions are offered at a discounted rate.
Tim Yount of On The Mat provides weekly wrestling rankings for teams and individuals in all weight classes. To see individual rankings, you can subscribe to On The Mat’s full rankings.
To subscribe via PayPal, choose your subscription option on this page click on the corresponding PayPal button. To subscribe by mail or fax and pay by personal check, click here for a printable subscription form. Email Tim Yount at tim@onthematrankings.com with questions.
To purchase individual weeks of the rankings (as opposed to the entire season), you will need to use the printable subscription form and pay by check. The season ranking subscriptions are offered at a discounted rate.
Tim Yount of On The Mat provides weekly wrestling rankings for teams and individuals in all weight classes. To see individual rankings, you can subscribe to On The Mat’s full rankings.
To subscribe via PayPal, choose your subscription option on this page click on the corresponding PayPal button. To subscribe by mail or fax and pay by personal check, click here for a printable subscription form. Email Tim Yount at tim@onthematrankings.com with questions.
To purchase individual weeks of the rankings (as opposed to the entire season), you will need to use the printable subscription form and pay by check. The season ranking subscriptions are offered at a discounted rate.
Tim Yount of On The Mat provides weekly wrestling rankings for teams and individuals in all weight classes. To see individual rankings, you can subscribe to On The Mat’s full rankings.
To subscribe via PayPal, choose your subscription option on this page click on the corresponding PayPal button. To subscribe by mail or fax and pay by personal check, click here for a printable subscription form. Email Tim Yount at tim@onthematrankings.com with questions.
To purchase individual weeks of the rankings (as opposed to the entire season), you will need to use the printable subscription form and pay by check. The season ranking subscriptions are offered at a discounted rate.
[dropcap]S[/dropcap]ince T.J. Shelton was 8 years old, wrestling has been an integral part of his life. Competing in the sport has paid dividends for the Meeker High School student as he won back-to-back Class 2A state championships at 160 and 170 pounds.
“I had a lot of experience nationally wrestling all over the country and that mat time really boosted me when I got to high school,” the 5-foot-10 Shelton said. “It was very emotional and exciting for me to win state twice. All my hard work paid off each of those years, and that was the greatest feeling in the world.”
Meeker’s T.J. Shelton.
Now, a junior Shelton has his eyes on another gold medal.
“I need to keep my nose down and keep working hard,” Shelton, 16, said. “I’m going to do what I can. Some people have a target on my back, but I respect all my opponents and I’m just going to go out there and wrestle.”
This season, Shelton has an 8-1 record and he’s ranked No. 1 by On the Mat at 182 pounds in Class 2A.
Shelton’s next big test will come Friday and Saturday at the ultra-competitive Warrior Classic in Grand Junction at 170 pounds.
“I haven’t quite decided if I will wrestle at 182 or 170 pounds this season,” Shelton said. “A lot of the tournaments I will be at 170s, but I’m just going to play things by ear. My goals this season is to do win the Warrior and win a state title.”
J.C. Watt, Meeker’s coach, praised Shelton.
“He’s a hard worker, and he has a lot of wrestling experience,” said Watt, a former two-time state wrestling champ at Meeker. “T.J. won the middle school state wrestling tournament and he just never stops working. He’s always lifting and he’s always keeping his body in good shape. I was surprised a little bit that he won state as a freshman at a heavier weight (160 pounds), but he’s just a really good competitor. He seems to always rise to the occasion, and he’s a great teammate.”
As good as Shelton is in wrestling, he’s far from one-dimensional. As a freshman, Shelton won the 100-meter dash in state track and was second in the 200. Last year, Shelton was a state runner-up in the 100 and 200 events.
Oh by the way, Shelton also is a standout running back and middle linebacker on the Cowboys football team.
“I enjoy track because it works different muscles and I also really like playing football,” said Shelton, who also spends his spare time hunting. “I’m not sure what my favorite sport is between wrestling and football. I do love living in a small town. This is a great community.”
Shelton’s work ethic also shines through in the classroom as he is a 4.0 student.
“I have received just one B so far in high school and I’m a math and science guy,” Shelton said. “I really like all types of statistics.”
