DENVER — To say Fowler’s Dahlton McGhee is having a career year would be a bit of an understatement.
After failing to qualify for the state wrestling tournament as a freshman and not placing as a sophomore and junior, McGhee is one win away from one of the most remarkable turnarounds in state history.
After his win over Wray’s Jayce Reser in the Class 2A 195-pound semifinals, he’s just one match away from claiming his first state championship and also running the table for the 2017-18.
McGhee improved his record to 41-0. Not bad for a guy who wrestled at 152 as a freshman and 160 as a sophomore and junior.
He’ll take the mat at Pepsi Center with the rest of the finalists on Saturday. The Parade of Championship is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. and championship matches will begin at 7.
[divider]
Wray has a big lead in the 2A title quest:
Wray is closing in on its first state wrestling championship since 1988. The Eagles, who have won 11 in their history, lead the 2A team race with 134.5 points.
Rocky Ford, the defending champion, sits in second with 105.5 points. Cedaredge is third with 94.5, just ahead of Paonia (94). Fowler is fifth with 75.5.
[divider]
Alamosa heads the 3A team chase:
Alamosa is on top of the race for the 3A team championship. The Mean Moose are way out in front with 120 points. Eaton and Lamar are tied for second with 85 points.
Berthoud (70 points) is fourth, while Pagosa Springs (69) is fifth.
[divider]
Notables:
Wray’s Cade Rockwell knocked out defending 2A 113 champion Dillon Jaramillo of Rocky Ford with a pin in overtime of their semifinal match.
Brush junior Wyatt Pfau handed Valley sophomore Jaziah Whaley (42-1) his first loss of the season in advancing to the 3A 152 final.
Javier Gonzalez of Valley knocked off a returning champ in the 3A 120 quarterfinals, beating Jacob Duran of Fort Lupton with a 5-3 decision. He fell to Ethan Andrade of Lamar in the semifinals.
Conifer freshman Cayden Condit, the lone female qualifier, advanced to the second round of the consolations after defeating The Classical Academy junior Brendan Johnston via forfeit. She battled in the second-round consolation, tying the match up late, but ultimately lost a 6-4 decision.
LITTLETON — Columbine junior Cameron Dean admitted he made the biggest 3-pointers of his life Friday night.
Dean, who had only scored double-digit points once this season, poured in a dozen points that included a pair of 3-pointers in the final quarter as the Rebels pulled away for a 64-48 home victory over rival Chatfield.
“Those looked amazing,” Columbine sophomore Justin Lohrenz said of Dean’s 3-pointers midway through the fourth quarter that pushed the Rebels to a double-digit lead. “Right when they left his fingers I knew they were going in.”
The victory gave Columbine its first Class 5A Jeffco League boys basketball title since the 2011-12 season.
Andrew Lauritzen (2) came off the bench to help Columbine dominate the inside. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“It’s great. This was the goal these guys have set,” Columbine coach Clay Thielking said. “They fought through a lot of adversity all year long. It’s such a resilient group of guys. I’m just really, really happy for them.”
The Rebels started the season 1-4 and even got off to a 1-2 conference mark before winning 9-of-11 to close the regular season as the hottest team in 5A Jeffco.
“It feels amazing. It feels just great,” Lohrenz said as the Rebels cut down the nets to celebrate the league title.
Columbine (13-10, 10-4 in 5A Jeffco) are co-league champs with Arvada West (15-8, 10-4). However, the Rebels will officially go in as the automatic qualifier for the 48-team 5A state tournament that begins next week.
“We will definitely be an underdog,” Dean said about the playoffs. “We are just going to go, fight and play our best.”
Columbine won the tiebreaker of point differential between the Rebels and Wildcats over their two head-to-head meetings. Columbine is guaranteed a top-32 seed and first-round home game for the state tournament.
Chatfield’s Isaiah Reed (3) soars to the basket for a layup. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
There was no guarantee for the Rebels when they took the court against Chatfield (11-12, 7-7). The Chargers defeated the Rebels in their first meeting.
The rivals were tied at 41-41 early in the fourth quarter, but Columbine outscored Chatfield 23-9 in the final quarter to win going away. Sophomore Luke O’Brien (13 points) was held under his season average, but Lohrenz (14 points) and sophomore Andrew Lauritzen had a monster game off the bench for 12 points.
“I thought their role players really stepped up and played great,” Chatfield coach Stephen Schimpeler said after the Chargers’ third straight loss.
Chatfield senior Liam Mann led the way for the Chargers with 12 points. The loss officially ended Chatfield remarkable run of back-to-back conference titles that included a 30-game league winning streak over that period.
“Chatfield has had a really great run. That’s a really great team with a very good coach that we have a lot of respect for,” Thielking said. “We try not to make this game bigger than it really is, but games against your rivals are more meaningful. When you throw a league title in there it’s a pretty special night.”
Chatfield and Columbine will both have to wait until Sunday, Feb. 18, for the 5A state brackets to be released on CHSAANow.com to see who their first-round opponents will be.
While 5A Jeffco is looked at for having a down year on the state level, anything is possible in the postseason. Columbine is a good example of how to battle through the tough times to make the best of an opportunity.
“That’s just Columbine, we are resilient,” Dean said. “We have been through so much, but we stick together. It’s a brotherhood. I love this group of guys.”
Columbine’s Justin Lohrenz, middle, is double-teamed by Chatfield’s Keland Rumsey (4) and Liam Mann. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
DENVER – It was only fitting that during the first state wrestling tournament in nearly three decades that he hasn’t served as a head coach, Tom Deaguero received a huge ovation from a packed house Friday night at Pepsi Center.
The longtime Adams City coach, who handed the program off to nephews Jared and Joey this season, represented the Deaguero family as they received the Family Heritage Award from the Colorado Chapter of the National High School Wrestling Hall of Fame.
“Every year, no matter what kind of team we have … I look forward to this weekend every year, and this made it that much more special,” Tom said. “It was a thrill. It’s like feeling what the kids feel when they make it to the finals and get their hands raised.”
Once the semifinals got underway, Adams City did what it does best – it rocked on the wrestling mat. The Eagles advanced three wrestlers into Saturday’s night championship round, and are currently sitting in fourth place in the Class 5A team standings.
Tom Deaguero. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
The name Deaguero is synonymous with Adams City wrestling. Tom and his nine siblings have been a big part of the Commerce City community for decades, and future generations have added to the legacy.
“They are Adams City wrestling,” said Eagles senior Nicholas Gonzales, who was one of the three individuals to reach the finals. “They have (family) from Tom … all the way down to little 2- and 3-year-olds, and next year they’re going to be wrestling in diapers.”
There hasn’t been really been a period in the last fifty years where a Deaguero wasn’t representing the family at Adams City High School.
“Since 1968, I think there might have been, I would guess no more than two intervals of time of not more than a year where there wasn’t a Deaguero there,” Tom said. “I’ve got a big family, five brothers and four sisters. There’s always been somebody there.”
Wrestling royalty
The Deaguero family has always been well-represented at the state tournament as well. Joey was a three-time state champion and T.J. and Jared won two titles each.
Gavin Deaguero. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
On Saturday, Gavin Deaguero – T.J.’s son – gets his opportunity to add to that legacy. The senior scored a late takedown in the 5A 152-pound semifinals and held on for a 6-4 victory.
He’ll face two-time state champion Josiah Rider of Grand Junction.
“It’s a big deal. It puts some pressure on, but I’m willing to carry it,” Gavin said. “Do my absolute best and put my heart on the line for this match. I want it really bad.
“I’m ready. I want to carry on the legacy of the family.”
Gavin, Gonzales and senior Christian Rowell will each compete Saturday night in the championship finals. Jared said he couldn’t remember the last time that Adams City had three individuals make the finals.
“Honestly, this is one of the best programs we have in the state. Just the culture we have, it’s us,” Gonzales said. “No one knows where Adams City is, no one knows where we’re from, no one knows what we’ve done. Right now, right here is where we rep our city and we show them what’s up.”
A new generation
Tom led the high school program for 26 years before taking an assistant principal position this year. Jared and Joey, who both starred at Adams State – Jared won an NCAA Division II national championship for the Grizzlies – were eager to do their part for the family and the program.
“(Tom) started the youth program back in 1980 with his cousin, Ricky Sanchez. We wouldn’t have anything if it wasn’t for him,” Jared said. “It’s a little bittersweet, but at the same time he knew it was something I’ve been wanting for a long time.
“It’s been a good transition because he’s still in the room, and he’s still helping out.”
The wrestlers have been receptive to the change as well.
“Jared and Joey have always been there, even when my Grandpa was head coach,” Gavin said. “I feel like the reason that my Grandpa decided to hand it down to my uncles is because he saw they were ready.”
Joshua Deaguero. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
The future looks even brighter as the program continues to add depth from its youth program, and more Deagueros are on the way. Sophomore Joshua Deaguero reached the semifinals at 138 pounds, and could be on his way to placing for a second consecutive year. There are also family members currently at the middle-school level who will be at Adams City before too long.
There is a lot of pride in representing the name Deaguero, but it’s more than just a name – it’s about family and community.
“For us it’s all about representing our Grandpa Tony and our Grandma Francis,” Jared said of his grandparents, who raised 10 children. “That’s what it’s all about – respecting them, putting our best foot forward.
“Not only doing it on the mat but doing it off the mat too, representing our name and Adams City and Commerce City – everything, the best we can.”
HIGHLANDS RANCH — Kaison Hammonds had 22 points, Joey Rumbaugh added 12, and No. 1 ThunderRidge edged No. 2 Rock Canyon 78-71 in overtime during a huge Class 5A boys basketball game on Friday night.
DENVER — The 2018 state wrestling tournament rolls into its final day, with placing and championship matches set for Saturday. We will have live coverage throughout.
Josh Flanagan watched a few years ago as his brother made history at the state wrestling tournament. Macoy, a senior in 2016, tied the state record by winning 51 matches in a senior year as Valley won its second-straight team title.
Now, Josh is looking to do something that even his record-setting brother didn’t pull off in his career.
Josh is going for his second state championship. He won the 170-pound title last year and as the state tournament kicked-off on Thursday, began his quest to go back-to-back. If there’s any pressure, though, it’s all self-inflicted.
“I put a little bit of pressure on (myself) because people put a lot of pressure on me,” Flanagan said. “I know that I can do it again, so they expect me to do it again.”
A victory by pin over Del Norte’s Ruben Agosto in the first round has the younger Flanagan on track to have some bragging rights over big brother.
“I would say being a two-time state champ is a little better than having an undefeated record and going 51-0,” Josh said. “I kind of wanted to try that this year but fell a little short. I’m not sure how he did it. I think that winning two would be a little better than that but he’s a great wrestler.”
Flanagan is set to face Lamar’s Lucas Tinnes in the quarterfinals Friday morning.
[divider]
Notables
Cayden Condit. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
Conifer freshman Cayden Condit, the lone female qualifier at this year’s state tournament, was pinned in her first-round match by Alameda freshman Davion Chavez in 1:24. Condit will face The Classical Academy junior Brendan Johnston in the consolation bracket on Friday.
Wray leads the 2A team race with 40 points after prelims. Cedaredge (32 points) sits in second, with Rocky Ford (30.5) third. Paonia is fourth with 23 points, and Fowler (18) is fifth.
Eaton is on top of the 3A team race through the first round, leading with 31 points. Berthoud and Lamar are tied for second with 24 points each. Pagosa Springs (22 points) and Alamosa (21.5) are also firmly in the hunt for the team title.
In 3A’s 106-pound bracket, Trinidad’s Alberto Felthager knocked off the top seed, Santana Hernandez of Weld Central, with a 5-3 decision in the first round. Felthager placed fourth in his region last weekend.
Lyons’ Keegan Bean pinned Ellicott’s Matthew Brant in 26 seconds. He’s the defending champ in 2A 182. That was the fastest pin of the 2A/3A prelims.
Rocky Ford’s Greg Garcia matched Bean’s fastest pin with a takedown of Highland’s Micheal Johnson at 2A 285 in 26 seconds.
Each of the returning champions in 2A (there are four) and 3A (where there are three) advanced to their quarterfinals.
Likewise, the two unbeaten wrestlers in 2A are onto the quarters, and three three unbeatens in 3A also advanced.
The 2A and 3A tournaments continue on Friday with the quarterfinals and first-round consolation matches at 9:30 a.m. The semifinals (7 p.m.) and second-round consolation (5:30 p.m.) matches are on Friday evening.
INDIANAPOLIS — High school soccer teams will be reversing their home and visiting uniforms next season. Effective with the 2018-19 season, the home team will wear dark jerseys and socks, and the visiting team will wear solid white jerseys and solid white socks.
This uniform change was one of nine rules revisions recommended by the National Federation of State High School Association’s (NFHS) Soccer Rules Committee at its January 22-24 meeting in Indianapolis. All changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
Previously, the home team was required to wear solid white jerseys and the visiting team wore dark-colored jerseys. The language defines dark as “any color which contrasts with white.”
“This change allows home teams to wear their school-color jerseys at home,” said Theresia Wynns, director of sports and officials and liaison to the Soccer Rules Committee. “It also could provide the opportunity to use an alternative color uniform for special events.”
The Soccer Rules Committee also approved a change that would permit a player to participate while wearing a head covering, if the player meets certain criteria and if the applicable state association approved the request.
If approved by the state high school association, players could participate with a head covering for medical/cosmetic reasons or for religious reasons. In the case of medical/cosmetic reasons, a physician’s statement is required before the state association can approved a head covering. In both cases, the head covering cannot be abrasive, hard or dangerous to any other player and attached in such a way that it is highly unlikely to come off during player.
Another example of unsporting conduct was approved by the committee involving denying obvious goal-scoring opportunities in a game. When a player commits an offense against an opponent within its team penalty area that denies the opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and the referee awards a penalty kick, a yellow card is given if the offense was an attempt to play the ball. Previously in this scenario, the player received a red card in addition to the team receiving a penalty kick.
“The committee thought this rule needed to be revised because in this situation in the past, the player and the team were placed in double jeopardy when applying a penalty,” Wynns said.
One rule regarding the offside rule in high school soccer was revised. Rule 11-1-4 now states that “A player is offside and penalized if, at the time the ball touches or is played by a teammate, the player, in an offside position, becomes involved in active play . . . “The penalty remains an indirect free kick at the spot of the infraction, but it now will be subject to the provisions in Rule 13-1-3.
“This change better articulates the difference between being in an offside position and an offside violation, as well as where the subsequent restart takes place,” Wynns said.
In another uniform change, undergarments can be a different solid color than the uniform, although the length and color of the undergarments must be the same for all members of the team.
As a result of the change made last year that allowed the kickoff to be taken in any direction, the committee revised Rule 8-1-2 to allow the player taking the kickoff to be in the opponent’s half of the field in order to take the kickoff.
The committee addressed proper sportsmanship with an addition to Rule 13-2-1. If a player, coach or bench personnel enters or leaves the field of play without permission of an official and interferes with play or an official, a direct free kick will be awarded at the point of the infraction.
In Rule 18, the committee approved a new definition of deliberate act, which is “one in which a player chooses to act, regardless of the outcome of that action. This deliberate act is neither reaction nor reflex. A deliberate action may result in the opponent benefiting from the action, e.g., a deliberate but misplayed ball that goes directly to an opponent. A reaction or reflex may result in that player benefiting from the action, e.g., a ball inadvertently contacting the arm and falling directly to the player’s feet.”
A complete listing of the soccer rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page and select “Soccer.”
According to the 2016-17 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, soccer is the fifth-most popular sport for boys at the high school level with 450,234 participants, and the fourth-most popular sport for girls with 388,339 participants.
DENVER — Greeley Central’s Andrew Alirez knows the feeling of winning a state wrestling championship. He’s experienced it twice and is aiming for his third. At this year’s state tournament at Pepsi Center, he’s hoping he’s not alone. His older cousin Zeke, a senior, placed third a year ago, but has yet to claim a championship.
But this could be the year they do it together. Andrew pinned Falcon’s Adrian Garcia in one minute, 20 seconds and Zeke pinned Pueblo South’s Joe Deville in 3:55. The hunt is one for the siblings.
“We train hard,” Andrew said. “We just try to represent our city and we’re pushing each other every day. Zeke’s really tough. He’s a great wrestler. You guys don’t see what I see. He’s tough. In my opinion, this year should be his year.”
As a junior, Andrew’s potential third title will hold more significance from a state-wide perspective. But no matter what he’s doing or where he is, his focus is always directed Zeke’s way and hoping for the same level of success.
“Even last week in regionals during my finals match, he’s in his match clapping so we’re just really there for each other,” Zeke said.
The duo will compete in the Class 4A quarterfinals Friday morning and should they win, they’ll advance to the semifinal will be held Friday night.
[divider]
Greenwood’s quest for a fourth title begins
Jacob Greenwood. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
Jacob Greenwood, the Poudre senior in search of a fourth state championship, started his state tournament off with a win.
Greenwood beat Ralston Valley junior Colton Frost-Bryant via a tech fall, 20-4, in the second period. He will face Erik Cumley of Legend in the quarterfinals on Friday.
Greenwood is seeking to become the 21st four-time champion in state history. The state tournament has featured a four-time champion each of the past four seasons.
[divider]
Two-time champs pushing for a third
Brendon Garcia. (Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
Six other wrestlers began their quests for a third championship with a win in the first round on Thursday night:
Pueblo County’s Brendon Garcia, a junior at 4A 106, pinned Thompson Valley’s Kameron Hanel in 3:13.
Malik Heinselman, a Castle View senior at 5A 120, pinned ThunderRidge’s Aiden Okamura in 1:50.
Pomona junior Theorius Robison pinned Douglas County’s Jared Cabunoc in 2:51 at 5A 132.
Josiah Rider, a Grand Junction senior at 5A 152, pinned Ponderosa’s Kayden Johnson in 1:02. Rider is now 33-0 this season.
Lakewood’s Gabriel Dinette won his first-round match with a pin in 1:18.
Ponderosa junior Cohl Schultz pinned Arapahoe’s Jason Washington in 40 seconds. Schultz, who won a world championship in September, is now 46-0 in the 5A heavyweight division.
[divider]
Notables
Pueblo East heads the 4A team race with 34 points. Defending champion Pueblo County is second (29) and Windsor (26) is third. Discovery Canyon and Greeley Central are tied for fourth with 21 points.
Broomfield’s Michael DeCamillis gave his team the lead after the first day with a pin in the final match of the night. The Eagles have 30 points. Defending champ Pomona (28 points) is second, and is followed by Grand Junction (27), Poudre (24) and Grandview (22.5).
The 120-pound bracket in 4A is one to watch, with two returning champions in the field. Pueblo East’s Jace Trujillo won a 113-pound title in 2016, Pueblo County’s Josiah Nava won a 106-pound championship in 2015. In addition, Discovery Canyon’s Patrick Allis was a finalist at 106 last season. All three advanced to the quarterfinals.
4A’s 126-pound division is also loaded, with returning champions Josh Nira of Greeley Central (who won 113 last season) and Windsor’s Dominick Serrano (120) in the field.
Roosevelt’s Ethan Hays pinned his first-round opponent in 21 seconds at 4A 113. That is the fastest of the tournament so far.
Douglas County’s Micah Smith had the fastest pin in the 5A prelims. He took down Fruita Monument’s Levi Womack in 28 seconds.
Pomona’s Colton Yapoujian beat Rampart’s Benjamin Bancroft in 38 seconds. Yapoujian won the 5A 120 title last season.
Pueblo East’s Zion Freeman had a pin in 23 seconds, beating Skyline’s Angel Perez in 4A 182.
