Fruita Monument has named longtime assistant Cameron Ross its new football coach, Wildcats athletic director Denny Squibb announced on Monday.
Ross, a 1999 graduate of the school, has been an assistant with the Wildcats since 2006, spanning three head coaches.
“His strong desire, work ethic, and his relationships with the athletes have Fruita Monument excited to have him as their next head football coach,” Squibb said in a statement.
He played college football at Colorado Mesa from 1999-2003 for Joe Ramunno, now the coach at Palisade High School. At Fruita Monument, Ross has worked under Billy Moore (2006-10), Sean Mulvey (2011-14), and Todd Casebier (2015-17).
Ross has coached both the offensive and defensive lines at Fruita Monument, and served as the offensive coordinator and head JV coach most recently. He also has experience as an assistant football coach and head track coach at Plateau Valley.
DENVER — It’s a sight that never gets old for a capacity crowd at Pepsi Center. With all eyes toward the center of the floor, Poudre’s Jacob Greenwood capped a remarkable wrestling career.
The final whistle blew. He extended four fingers to the sky. The moment was his and will be immortalized in CHSAA history.
Greenwood is the 21st wrestler in state history, and the first from the Fort Collins area, to never suffer a loss on the Pepsi Center floor. His final victory came in the Class 5A 145-pound championship match over Grand Junction’s Dylan Martinez and as his hand was raised the pressure of his pursuit left his shoulders. Greenwood won in overtime, 4-2.
For the most part, the tournament seemed to be an easy run for Greenwood, but the overall journey took an admitted toll on him.
(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
“Not easy,” he said. “I’ve struggled with believing in myself for a long time. It takes a lot of leaning on God and trying that He would take care of me just to believe in myself and wrestle like He made me to.”
His career at state began the way many will perceived it ended. Greenwood was dominant. He earned a technical fall over Gateway’s Jordan White and followed it up with another technical fall in the second round.
But what will go overlooked in his established legacy are the close calls that nearly stopped his run before it gained any momentum.
In his semifinal match his freshman year, it took overtime, but he grabbed a sudden victory to earn a chance at title No. 1.
Standing in his way for that title was Legacy’s Ryan Deakin. All Deakin had accomplished was running the table in the previous year, going 42-0 en route to the 113-pound title.
Greenwood wasn’t scared and showed that even as a freshman, he was built to thrive on the biggest of stages. The tightly-contested battle went to overtime where Greenwood grabbed his second-straight sudden victory. But this one made him a champion and served as the turning point of his then-young career.
(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
“My freshman year was pretty rough,” Greenwood said. “Like I said, I had to fight a lot of self-doubt. Getting those two wins my freshman year helped me boost my confidence a little bit.”
As an experienced sophomore, Greenwood dominated the field in 2016. His toughest match was in the 132-pound championship where he beat Monarch’s Cole Polluconi by a 15-4 major decision.
The story was the same his junior year. Two falls were followed by a 9-4 decision in the semis. Coronado’s K.J. Kearns became the third man to fall to Greenwood in a championship. Greenwood won the 138-pound title by a 16-5 major decision.
At that moment, all eyes were going to be on the Impalas standout. As a freshman, he made it his goal to claim four titles. Coming into this season, the expectations were high not just from the wrestling community, but from himself.
His start to 2018 was right in line with what he had done the last three years. He grabbed a 20-4 technical fall win over Ralston Valley junior Colton Frost-Bryant. He pinned Legend’s Erik Cumley, and beat Rocky Mountain’s Tate Martinez by a 17-6 major decision.
Each win put him closer to glory.
The decision victory, the most difficult championship win since his freshman year brought his final night at Pepsi Center full circle.
(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
“I was thinking about that earlier,” Greenwood said. “I was wearing the singlet I wore my freshman year. My coaches were in the same corner they were; opposite of the other two years. We stood on the same that I did my freshman year in the parade of champions. I kind of had a weird feeling that it wasn’t going to be like the last two years.”
He worked his way through the field on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday night, he entered the arena at Pepsi Center in the Parade of Champions. He stood with those seeking their first titles. He stood with those looking to repeat as champions for the first time.
He stood with four others who hoped to follow in his shoes next year.
But somehow, standing with friends and fellow competitors, he perhaps the loneliest one on the floor. This was his journey to complete. This was his moment to seize.
He did just that and there is not a person on the planet that can take it away from him.
“I don’t know if it’s sunk in yet,” Greenwood said. “During this tournament, I haven’t really been thinking about my fourth title. I’ve just been thinking about getting a 2018 state title.”
There is no telling what’s in store for Greenwood when he heads to Wyoming next year. But as long as there is wrestling in the state of Colorado, as long as the greatest wrestlers in history are honored before each championship Saturday, Greenwood will be forever be remembered for what he accomplished Saturday night.
The crowd at Pepsi Center gave him a much-deserved standing ovation. He waved back, showing emotion and gratitude for the support. The spirit of the state wrestling tournament is embodied in what Greenwood accomplished, and in return, he will forever remain a part of its legacy.
Thirty years had passed since Wray brought home its last wrestling state title. But that drought is now over after the Eagles captured the Class 2A team championship on Saturday at Pepsi Center.
It adds to an already impressive resume for the storied program, which is now tied for the most team titles in state history with 12. The Eagles share that honor with Rocky Ford, last year’s 2A champion.
“At the beginning of the year, I pointed at the wall and told the kids, ‘It’s been 30 years. Wouldn’t it be nice to get another one up there sometime?’,” 11th-year coach Matt Brown said jokingly. “We’re satisfied. It’s great to show everybody that the hard work is paying off.”
Wray’s dominant run to the team title, which was clinched before the final matches even began, was powered by 13 wrestlers who represented all but one of the tournament’s weight classes.
The Eagles also boasted two individual championships as sophomore Cade Rockwell won by 3-1 decision at 113 pounds and junior Carlos Tarin claimed 170 by fall at 5:28. Chipping in place-wise for Wray were Junior Arambula, who finished runner-up in 126, and Cole Rockwell and Tyler Collins in third place of 106 and 132, respectively.
Wray’s victory was settled convincingly, finishing with 197.5 total points – more than 50 ahead of runner-up Paonia.
Undefeated seasons
Saturday night’s finale to both the season and their high-school careers was a little extra special for two 2A wrestlers. Both Dahlton McGhee of Fowler and Soroco’s Sky Carlson wrapped up the final match of their senior seasons with their first state titles, both doing so with perfect records.
McGhee won the 195 class by 7-2 decision to finish the year 42-0. Carlson edged his opponent in the 220 class 2-1 to improve his season mark to 39-0.
“It’s pretty special. This season has been a lot of fun,” Carlson said. “This definitely feels really good.”
Repeat champions
(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)ray
Wesley VanMatre and Keegan Bean had both been here before. That still didn’t change how special it was.
VanMatre, a sophomore from John Mall, won his first title last year in the 120 class. This time around, a 3-1 decision led him to another individual title at 132.
“It’s even more special this time around,” VanMatre said. “The biggest difference was the experience with nerves and keeping calm, but still never get used to this feeling. I can’t even put it into words.”
Bean, a senior from Lyons, remained in the same class he was victorious a year ago. His picked up his second championship Saturday via 2-1 decision at 182.
Individual championships
Eight other wrestlers went home with their first individual titles. Seth McFall of Fowler started things off with a major decision victory (14-3) at the opening 106 class.
Then, after more than 30 years without a state champion wrestler, Cedaredge went back-to-back with individual titles at 120 and 126. Trey Geyer posted a 16-3 major decision win first for the Bruins, and teammate Sean Dale followed with a 2-0 victory of his own.
Rocky Ford had three individual championships to finish third in the team race (136.5 points). Carlos Romo won by 10-1 major decision at 145, Diego Reyes won 160 by 7-2, and heavyweight Greg Garcia closed the night out with a 3-2 decision at 285 for the Meloneers.
Burlington’s Cody Jacobsen claimed 138 by fall at 5:17, and County Line’s Trevor Randel won 152 with a 4-3 decision.
DENVER – The back-and-forth nature of the chase for the Class 4A wrestling team championship had everyone on edge Saturday night.
Pueblo County, Pueblo East and Windsor engaged in a steady battle of one-upmanship at Pepsi Center for much of the evening, each trying to stake its claim to the grand prize.
It ultimately came down to the final matches of the night. With Windsor holding onto a 5.5-point lead, the Wizards were able to survive late victories from Pueblo County and Pueblo East to win their first state championship since 2012.
“It’s been crazy. It’s been fun though,” said Windsor sophomore Isaiah Salazar, whose pin at 170 pounds gave Windsor its first team lead. “There’s nothing else I would want. I wouldn’t want a blowout, and I wouldn’t want it the other way around. I want a tough fight.”
Windsor won three of its four title matches Saturday, getting bonus points from a technical fall and a pin to finish with 159.5 points. Pueblo East finished second with 159 points on the strength of an Andy Garcia pin at heavyweight; Pueblo County placed third with 158 points and two individual titles.
Windsor trailed East by nine points coming into Saturday night’s championship round. Wizards coach Monte Trusty believed his team always had a chance to fight its way back, but it still took those extra points for Windsor to hoist the trophy at the end of the night.
“We didn’t speak of that. I told all the guys ‘take care of yourself first,’” Trusty said. “You take care of your goal and you, and if there’s some chances there, then you can try helping the team out that way.”
Salazar was the one who put Windsor over the top. The sophomore – who won a title in 3A with Eaton as a freshman – pinned Pueblo County’s Jayson Davis in two minutes, 57 seconds.
“I just want to help out my team as much as I can,” Salazar said. “I knew I needed to get the win and getting an opportunity to get the fall. That would help us.”
That came after the Wizards captured victories at 113 and 126 pounds. Will VomBaur took a nail-biter over Pueblo East’s Andrew Lucero with a 3-2 victory in the ultimate tiebreaker.
(Marlee Smith/CHSAANow.com)
Sophomore Dominick Serrano gave Windsor some much-needed bonus points with a 24-7 victory by technical fall over Pueblo East’s Ryan Roth at 126. Serrano (37-0) earned his second title after going undefeated as a freshman as well.
VomBaur’s title – his second in three years – was bittersweet given that his younger brother, freshman Vance, lost in the final seconds of the 120-pound final to Discovery Canyon’s Patrick Allis.
“Each state tournament is the new most important moment of my wrestling career. I won my second title and I was the happiest I’ve ever been,” Will VomBaur said. “I was excited to watch my brother, and I was really hoping he could be here with me.
“We’ve been talking about this moment forever, and it just really hurts that he couldn’t join me. But I’m really proud of him and the way he wrestled.”
Allis gave up a late takedown to Vance VomBaur to fall behind by one point late in the third period, but was awarded a point after the freshman locked his hands. Allis escaped the hold in the final seconds for a 5-4 decision.
“I heard my coaches scream ‘get one, get one!’” Allis said. “I saw locked hands called and knew it was my chance to end it fast and not go to overtime. I got my quick one, just hung out and finally got my title.”
Will VomBaur had to ride it out in the ultimate tiebreaker after both he and Lucero picked up a point in the first tiebreaker.
The final was a rematch of the 2016 championship at 106 pounds.
“I really feel bad for him, to lose like that in a rideout,” VomBaur said. “It was his last year and I really feel for him, but that’s the sport of wrestling. It’s hard and it’s unfair sometimes.”
Perhaps the most emotional moment of the night belonged to Cheyenne Mountain senior Mike McFadden, who defeated Pueblo County’s Jaxon Garoutte 7-2 in the first tiebreaker.
McFadden sobbed as he embraced his teammates and coaches in the tunnels after the match.
“That life-long dream just came true,” McFadden said. “I wanted that so bad. When I got back to my hotel room last night, all I could think about was getting my hand raised at the end of tonight, and it happened.”
McFadden finished sixth as a freshman and fourth as a sophomore. He made it to the finals a year ago but placed second, leaving him one last opportunity to grab a championship. McFadden cradled Garoutte in the first tiebreaker to give him all the advantage he needed.
“When he tri-podded up, I saw the leg there so I just grabbed it,” McFadden said. “Even if I didn’t the turn I knew he wasn’t getting away.”
Pueblo County junior Brendon Garcia and Greeley Central junior Andrew Alirez put themselves into position to join the elite four-time champion club next year. Garcia defeated Pueblo Centennial’s Jacob Gonzales 7-5 in the sudden victory round at 106 pounds to claim his third consecutive crown.
Alirez dominated on his way to his third title, posting a 19-8 major decision at 145 pounds over Canon City’s Zac Hanenberg.
Air Academy senior Jason Hanenberg, Longmont’s Drake Engelking, Palisade’s Terrance Williams and Fort Morgan’s Dylan McBride brought home their first state titles. Hanenberg scored a last-second reversal to defeated Pueblo County’s Aaden Valdez 2-1 at 132 pounds.
Engelking posted an 8-2 decision over Thompson Valley’s Hunter Williams at 160. Williams survived a late comeback at 182 from Pueblo East’s Zion Freeman for an 8-7 decision. McBride earned a 9-5 decision over Mountain View’s Braden Barker at 195.
Pueblo County senior Dante Garcia closed his prep career out with his second title in three years. Garcia scored a takedown with 39 seconds remaining to defeat Pueblo East’s Dominic Robles 3-2.
DENVER — Another chapter has been added to the legacy of Alamosa’s wrestling program.
The Mean Moose dominated the Class 3A state tournament in winning their 11th state championship with 164 points Saturday night at the Pepsi Center.
The Mean Moose, who sent 11 wrestlers into the tournament, put away the championship earlier in the evening and won their first state title since they won three in a row in Class 3A from 2011-2013.
Alamosa is now third all time for the most wrestling state championships in Colorado history behind only Rocky Ford and Wray, which have 12 each. All the Mean Moose’s state crowns have come with head coach Gary Ramstetter, who just completed his 37th season as the boss of the program. Eaton finished second in the team race with 145 points, followed by Lamar at 100 points.
“This feels great,” Ramstetter said. “This is what we work for. I have a good group of guys. I still like doing this. I’ve been doing it my whole life.”
The Mean Moose also won state championships in 1988 (AA), and 1992, 1995, 1998-99, and 2006-2007 all in Class 4A.
Alamosa’s latest title run was powered by cousins, Davion Chavez (106 pounds), and Joe Chavez (126) captured gold medals. The Mean Moose’s individual winners was increased to 58.
Reis Martinez also was a runner-up at 152 pounds as was heavyweight Preston Duran.
Joe Chavez won in dramatic fashion, leading 5-4 late in the match and then pinning Brush’s Caleb Cox with eight seconds remaining.
“I just stayed low and I knew I had to keep wrestling,” said Chavez, who finished the season with a 42-6 record. “I kept moving and he kind of got high and I just stacked him over his own head to get the pin. It feels great to win with my cousin because we have put in so much work together. Winning the team title is great because that’s what we were striving for all year.”
Chavez, a junior, has now won back-to-back state championships as he won at 120 pounds in 2017.
Davion Chavez, a freshman, concurred with his cousin.
“It’s amazing to win state,” he said. “I’ve been working for over 10 years for this and it finally all paid off. It’s great to know that I contributed to our team state championship and helped my team reach that goal. It just feels awesome.”
Chavez (36-8) beat Trinidad’s Alberto Felthager (36-6), 6-2.
The Mean Moose’s latest title run also was boosted by 113-pound Elijah DeLaCerda (third place), 132-pound Tyler Kenison (fourth), 145-pound Kolten Hillis (fifth), and 220-pound Logan Thompson (fourth).
Inspired wrestler
When La Junta’s Isaiah Gamez muscled past Berthoud’s Kolten Strait 6-2 in the 113-pound finals, one thought immediately came to his mind – his late great grandmother Rosemary Gamez. Gamez passed away Nov. 22 at the age of 84.
“This just feels great,” Isaiah said. “I wanted to control the match the whole time, make it my match not his. Ever since my great grandma passed away everything I’ve done is for her. She was my rock. I never thought I could do this and she always believed I could do it.”
The sophomore finished the season with a 36-5 record.
Third time is a charm
(Marlee Smith/CHSAANow.com)
For the last two years, Valley’s Brandon Damian came up short falling in the state finals.
The senior wasn’t about to be denied Saturday night and he came through with a 3-1 decision over Centauri’s Brandon Buhr. Damian clinched the victory with a takedown with 22 seconds to go in the third period.
“I have been working so hard this whole season and in practice we do those situations where it is 1-1 with 20 seconds left in the third period and you have to get that takedown,” Damian said. “I knew I had to go, I couldn’t wait. I had to shoot, and when I got the takedown I secured it all.”
As a freshman, Damian took third at 120 pounds, and he was second as a sophomore and junior at 132 pounds.
“I have been working to win state ever since my freshman year and I finally got over that hump, and it feels so good,” said Damian, who capped his season at 34-2. “This is the best feeling in the world.”
Damian also was chosen top wrestler in the state 3A tournament.
Centauri’s Brandon Buhr, a fellow senior, finished the season with a 46-4 record.
The wait is over for Johns
(Marlee Smith/CHSAANow.com)
Junior Nathan Johns of The Classical Academy doesn’t have to wait any longer for a state wrestling title.
Johns edged Valley’s Josh Flanigan 3-2 with an escape in the ultimate overtime tiebreaker at 182 pounds. The same Flanigan who lost to in overtime in a match earlier this season.
“These two guys are so evenly matched that neither guy really wanted to commit,” said TCA coach Sean Collins. “It was a very tactical match and we were able to make it where he couldn’t score with phenomenal defense and we capitalized when we need to.”
Johns couldn’t wipe the smile off his face as he was being congratulated by his teammates. He finished the season with a 34-3 record.
“This is incredible,” said Johns, who lost in the state finals at 182 pounds a year ago. “I’m so happy. This is just amazing.”
Johns is the second state wrestling champion in TCA’s history. Andrew Register won the Titans inaugural title on the mat in 2014 at 135 pounds.
Eaton moves up
Eaton High School’s wrestling team had a strong showing finishing second to Alamosa. Eaton’s is coached by Tony Mustari. Mustari was a three-time state champion at Greeley Central.
The Reds lone finalist was Ariel Rodriguez (46-10), and the senior dropped an 8-4 decision to Berthoud’s Austyn Binkly (38-5).
Weld Central doubles up
The Rebels of Weld Central flexed their muscles with back-to-back state crowns.
Weld Central’s Jimmy LaConte (39-2) def. Steamboat Springs’ Hayden Johnson (32-4), 7-6. LaConte’s teammate, Quentin Jiner (32-5) followed that up with a 7-5 decision over Moffat County’s Mikinzie Klimper.
Other winners grabbing gold
During a night filled with emotion, there were several other grapplers basking in championship glory. Grand Valley’s A.J. Serna (120 pounds), Buena Vista’s Anthony Quintana (132), Sheridan’s Faustin Lopez (195), Lamar’s Bart Gruenloh (220) and Delta heavyweight Logan Church. Quintana (40-0) and Church (35-0) finished their state-winning seasons with perfect records.
DENVER — Grand Junction turned back the clock Saturday night at Pepsi Center.
The Tigers posted 151.5 teams points to nip Pomona’s 146 team points to win the Class 5A wrestling state championship title.
The Tigers edged two-time defending 5A state team champion Pomona for the first state wrestling team title for Grand Junction since 1994. It’s the ninth wrestling team title for the program.
Grand Junction senior Josiah Rider. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“I’m more excited for our team title that we just got,” Grand Junction senior Josiah Rider said after winning his third individual title. “I’m really excited.”
Grand Junction was a powerhouse winning four of those team titles from 1963-1968.
Grand Junction took five wrestlers — sophomore Dawson Collins (106), senior Dylan Martinez (145), Rider (152), senior Seth Latham (182) and junior Hunter Tobiasson (220) — to the title bouts Saturday night at Pepsi Center. Collins and Rider came away with individual titles to push past the Panthers.
Collins looked to have lost his title match when Castle View junior Adrian Marquez was awarded a 2-point takedown in first overtime period. However, after both referees discussed the situation the takedown was waved off.
“In overtime when they gave him (Marquez) the two I didn’t know what to do,” Collins said. “Part of me wanted to breakdown and cry. Part of me wanted to believe it wasn’t two. When they waved the two off I was overwhelmed.”
Grand Junction sophomore Dayton Collins (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco)
The sophomore eventually took a 6-5 victory to post four key team points that Grand Junction needed to win the team title. The Tigers had a total of seven wrestlers place on the podium. Freshman Kieran Thompson placed 6th at 106 and junior Jay Skalecki took 3rd at 170.
“It was a big deal,” Rider said of the win by Collins at 113. “My heart was sinking when it looked like he had lost. After he won that I knew we were going to win the team title.”
The Panthers had four — sophomore Wyatt Yapoujian (106), junior Justin Pacheco (120), junior Theorius Robison (132) and junior Colton Yapoujian (138) — in the finals.
“Credit to Grand Junction. They had a better tournament that us this week,” Colton Yapoujian said after becoming a 2-time state champion after a 5-4 victory. “We aren’t going to make excuses. We are going to get back in the (wrestling) room and try to start a new streak next year.”
Robison won his third state title with a narrow 3-2 victory. Pomona also placed a total of seven. Freshman Franklin Cruz placed 4th at 152, along with seniors Doug Mills (220) and Brandon Hodge (285) both finishing 5th.
Pomona — 5-time team champion — was attempting to win a third straight team title. The most impressive run in the largest classification since Ponderosa won eight straight 5A team titles from 2003-2010.
“We’ll definitely come back next year with some revenge to get that title back,” Robison said.
Heinselman wins match-up of state champs
The only 5A champion bout that featured a pair of returning state champions was at 120 pounds. Castle View senior Malik Heinselman (5A-106 state champ in 2017) faced Pomona junior Justin Pacheco (5A-113 state champ in 2017).
Castle View senior Malik Heinselman. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Heinselman held on for a 3-2 victory to finish off his prep wrestling career before heading off to Ohio State University to wrestler for the Buckeyes.
“I was feeling a little sluggish … I wish I could have scored more points,” Heinselman admitted. “But I came out on top. He (Pacheco) is a great competitor. I had to be on my game.”
Possible 4-time state champs on the horizon in 2019
Poudre senior Jacob Greenwood was able to etch his name into Colorado history becoming the 21st 4-time individual state champion.
A pair of juniors in Pomona’s Theorius Robison and Ponderosa’s Cohlton Schultz (285) won their third state titles Saturday. Robison and Schultz are now one state title away from joining wrestling royalty in Colorado in becoming 4-time state champions.
Robison will attempt to become Pomona’s first four-timer. The junior added a third individual wrestling title to go along with a 5A state football championship ring he earned this fall.
“I’m definitely ready for that attention,” Robison said of having the chance to join the 4-time state championship club. “With attention comes more publicity and I kind of like that to be honest. I just love the hype around everything.”
Robison will enter next season with a 103-5 career mark to go along with his three individual state titles while being apart of two 5A team champion titles and this year’s team runner-up trophy.
Schultz had no issue moving up from 220 to heavyweight this season. The junior and one of the top wrestlers in the nation finished 50-0 this season. He pinned Poudre senior Weston Mayer in 1:03 to finish the 5A state tournament.
“It sounds pretty good,” Schultz said about how it sounds to be going for a fourth state title next year. “It’s been a goal of mine since I was a little kid.”
He has a career mark of 142-2 while wrestling for the Mustangs.
“It’s been a goal of mine to be up there with the very best in the state and even the country,” Schultz said. “Every year just trying to take one more step toward that.”
Bracket notes: Denver South and Bear Creek exchanged position to avoid first round league match-ups per seeding rules. Mullen, Boulder and Poudre were moved to avoid first round league match-ups.
