DENVER — Grand Junction senior Jacob Trujillo’s wrestling career is on the brink of coming full circle.
Trujillo takes his undefeated 44-0 record into the Class 5A 160-pound championship match Saturday night at Pepsi Center in what will be his last bout in his final state wrestling tournament. He will attempt to join the exclusive fraternity of Colorado’s three-time state champions.
“It means everything to me right now,” Trujillo said after his third-period pin of Castle View senior Bevan Haycock in the semifinals Friday night. “I’ve been working hard for it my whole life. It would be great.”
Trujillo claimed titles at 160 and 145 pounds his junior and sophomore seasons. The only loss during his four trips to the state tournament came in the 120-pound champion bout his freshman season. Bear Creek’s PT Garcia defeated Trujillo, which began a run of three state titles for Garcia.
“I just get sad,” Trujillo said of thinking back to his lone loss at the state tournament. “It took away the chance to be a four-timer, but you learn from it and you have to move on.”
Trujillo has done more than just move on. He has an eye-opening 153-4 record during his decorated prep career. Trujillo has lost only once since losing the title bout in 2012. He can join the other 97 three-time champions with a victory Saturday night.
There are only 17 four-time state champions in Colorado history.
“It’s what everyone works for to be a state champion,” Trujillo said. “If you are able to do it in your young years, maybe go for two and then three. Rarely do people get the chance to go for four.”
There will be two wrestlers in 2A who will attempt to make the Colorado’s three-time state champion number reach 100. Meeker junior T.J. Shelton (170) and Centauri senior Jareb Aziz (195) have a shot at their third Saturday night.
Shelton captured titles in 3A at 160 and 170 his freshman and sophomore seasons. His second-period pin of Baca County junior Rafe Hutches gives Shelton the chance to snag a third title with a possible fourth on the horizon next season.
Aziz (39-0 record) stood atop the podium in 3A in the 182 and 195 weight classes after placing sixth as a freshman at 170.
“I’m relaxed,” Aziz said after his 10-1 major decision over Limon freshman Kaleb Gaede in the semifinals. “I’m going into tomorrow to get it done.”
Aziz would join Andrew Arellano (2002-2004) as Centauri wrestlers to be three-time state champs.
“As soon as I got that (first) state title I wanted it more,” Aziz said. “I dedicated myself to going hard in practice every day. It pays off.”
There are a host of juniors who will attempt to win their second state title Saturday night and keep their dreams alive for a third.
Legacy junior Ryan Deakin (5A 126) is one win away from taking his second state title. Winning a third is definitely a possibility, but Deakin knows there is a long road ahead before thinking about a third trip to the two of with winner’s stand at Pepsi Center.
“I’m just focused on getting better and having fun with the sport,” Deakin said. “Sometimes results are out of your hands.”
Pomona junior Tomas Gutierrez (5A 113) admitted there is always pressure for him when he steps on the mat at the state tournament. After winning the 5A title at 106 pounds as a sophomore, Gutierrez will try to stay on the path of a three-time state champion Saturday.
“That’s ultimately the goal, but you can’t overpass any matches down here,” Gutierrez said when asked about the possibility of a three-peat next year. “You have to wrestle one at a time, all the time. If you can do that you’ll succeed. I’ve got to worry about getting my second one (state title) first.”
Saturday’s schedule beings at 10:30 a.m. with third-round consolations in 2A/3A. The fifth- and third-place matches start at 2 p.m. The parade of champions for all classification title bouts begins at 6:30 p.m. at Pepsi Center.
