AURORA — The three pilot sports were each given a positive review by the CLOC committee, checking off another step as they seek official CHSAA sanctioning.
Unified bowling, girls wrestling and boys volleyball each presented to the Classification and League Organizing and Appeals Committee on Tuesday, and each were given a thumbs up to continue their quest for sanctioning.
Per CHSAA bylaws, pilot sports must be approved by various committees along the road to sanctioning. Already, the three pilot sports have received positive reviews from the Equity Committee and the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee.
The next steps are approval by the CHSAA Board of Directors, and, if approved there, a vote by the member schools at the Legislative Council. Both of those meetings are in April.
In order to be voted on by the Legislative Council, a league must sponsor a bylaw proposal — something that is expected to happen for all three sports.
If any (or all) of the sports are sanctioned, the first official season would be in the 2020-21 school year.
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New schools approved for membership
The committee approve three schools for new membership into CHSAA:
Addenbrooke Classical Academy in Lakewood
Banning Lewis Prep Academy in Colorado Springs
Denver School of Science & Technology: Conservatory Green in Denver
All three schools would participate at the 2A or 3A level.
If approved by the Legislative Council in April, this would bring CHSAA’s membership to 362 schools.
There are different start dates when it comes to competition:
Girls tennis and girls golf can begin scrimmages and full competition this Thursday.
Baseball, boys/girls lacrosse, girls soccer, boys swimming, and track and field can begin scrimmages on March 2, and competition on March 7.
The first spring sports championship of 2019 will be girls tennis, which is May 9-11. The spring season ends with baseball’s 3A-5A championships on June 1.
The only thing Jeff Krumlauf cares about more than his football team is his family. That’s why he agonized for a month before he made one of the toughest decisions of his life.
Last week, Krumlauf resigned as the football coach at Doherty. He’s heading back to the mountains. His wife Stephanie was given an opportunity to help run a family restaurant in Vail, an opportunity that she couldn’t resist.
Krumlauf wasn’t going to stand in the way. He’s going with her and letting go of a head coaching job that he has come to love since he took the program over in 2014. He’s known for years that there was a limited number of circumstances that would force him to willingly relinquish the position.
“Probably just the one thing that did; my family and doing what’s best for my wife and son, for my in-laws and my dad that are up in the valley,” Krumlauf said. “It’s exciting and it’s bittersweet, but it’s time to open that next chapter.”
Krumlauf’s decision represents the other side of a dynamic that is often seen with sports families. Rather than asking his wife to sacrifice for him, he’s willing to make a big sacrifice to allow her to pursue her dream.
(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
It’s what he often preaches to his players at Doherty. Things in life will come and go, but a family is something worth sacrificing for. Krumlauf felt that if he was going to preach it to the players, he had to practice that mentality as well, even if it meant leaving something he loved behind.
“Honestly, it’s unbelievable to me,” Krumlauf said. “She took an absolute risk in more ways than one in moving down here with me before we were married. I don’t see it as a sacrifice. I see it as an amazing opportunity for her and her family. It’s all about supporting on both sides. As long as I’m around her, my son and maybe some future (kids), as long as I’m around them and coaching somewhere, I can live anywhere.”
He doesn’t think his football days are over. Far from it. Krumlauf has coaching experience at Battle Mountain High School and hopes that he can rejoin the program in some capacity.
In his five years at Doherty, Krumlauf finished with a 33-17 record. He made three appearances in the Class 5A playoffs and won a league championship in 2014. If asked two years ago, he believed that he was going to spend his life with the Spartans. He created a culture that the kids loved to be a part of. That included kicking off the football seasons with midnight practices on the first day of the fall season.
Looking back at his time there, there are so many things about the football program and the school that he’s going to miss.
“All of it,” he said. “The ups and downs, the kids first and foremost. They are an amazing group of young men. The coaching staff, my colleagues, the administration. It’s endless. It’s that secondary family and really not even secondary. It’s 1.1. It was one of the tougher decisions I’ve ever made but we know it’s the right one terms of what’s important and what we preach and that’s family.”
Krumlauf will remain at Doherty through the remainder of the year. He serves as an assistant track coach and will head into the spring season with high expectations for his athletes.
Then he’ll pack up and head into the mountains. Football is far from out his life and he is anxious to continue playing a role in the develop of high school kids.
Krumlauf’s departure has been updated to the list of coaching changes heading into the 2019 season.
Welcome back, hoop fans! Our CHSAANow journalists and photogs covered a tremendous amount of Round 1 and Round 2 action in our big school 5A/4A boys playoffs.
Let’s take a look back at some of the action and preview a STACKED Sweet 16 that doesn’t have a bad matchup on the docket!
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Class 5A
Chauncey Billups Region
(Marcus Gipson/Jmariahimages.com)
The overall No. 1 Seed is in this region and they looked every bit the part as they hosted No. 32 seed Fossil Ridge, who got here by beating Pine Creek 57-50. Chap enjoyed their Round 1 bye and also used this game to rest senior Tanner Giles whose out with an ankle injury.
Even without Giles the Wolverines attacked early and often on both ends of the floor with “in your face” defense from Kobe Sanders and “irritating” Tyzelle Lewis! The scoring was handled by big man Bryce Matthews who threw down unbelievable alley-oop dunks leading to a game-high 21 points which put him over 1,000 points on his career!
The Fever Crew was blessed with the opportunity to be a special guest of Blake Olsen on the 9News “Game of the Night” … catch the ending here.
Chap will face No. 17 seed Mullen, who raced past Chatfield by 20 and then earned a tough three-point win over the Continental League’s Castle View 59-56.
Isaac Okendane, the double-double machine for the Mustangs had another 10-point performance with numerous rebounds. They will need him inside and the sweet stroke of Christian Davis from the perimeter to keep pace with No. 1 seed Chap.
Speaking of keeping up, Mullen actually averages five more points per game than Chap at 68 per game and they’ll need their best stepping into the Wolverines house who are now 20-4, and unbeaten on their home court.
In the bottom half of the Billups Region the highest seed Fairview (No. 8) used their bye to take a peek at Broomfield who upset the No. 25 seed Palmer in Round 1. Broomfield’s magic that won the tight Round 1 match by four ran out as Fairview beat them soundly 69-48. The Knights have multiple players who can score in double figures and senior Mark Dolan led three with 18 on this night.
Fairview will get a rematch in their Sweet 16 round with Cherry Creek, whom they beat by five back in December at the Bruins’ annual Holiday Tournament.
But Knights beware, the Bruins are riding the hot hand of “super soph” Julian Hammond, who led them to double-digit victories over Doherty and at higher-seeded Columbine.
Hammond was unbelievable on Saturday at Columbine, scoring 27 points and taking on the challenge of guarding CU commit Luke O’Brien. Hammond is a top-5 guard in Colorado and that’s regardless of class!
Our Prep Hoops buddies were on hand to take in the performance:
Our player of the game is Julian Hammond III with a game high 27 points to lead Cherry Creek in a win over Columbine. #coprepspic.twitter.com/9gjqREuBro
Our Ball Fever “favorite” in this region was Regis, who was on a tear, but unfortunately they suffered a HUGE injury to big man Matt Wheelock, who was not able to compete in the playoffs and Regis is upset by Highlands Ranch in Round 2. With Regis now out, it may push the No. 2 overall seed in this region, Mountain Vista, to a possible deeper run.
Rocky Mountain got by Liberty by seven in Round 1 and their prize was to visit Vista, who had only lost one home game all season. The Lobos were certainly up for the task and took the Eagles to overtime on their home court, but losy by 3. Ben Gruhsing’s 16 points were big the home Eagles.
Waiting on the Eagles will be a team from out west who we are eager to learn more about: Fruita Monument. We hear Fruita has some outstanding perimeter play and it was on display as they beat Greeley West by 17 with Marcus Labonde leading the way. Labonde averages 14 points per game for the 20-4 Wildcats, who head into Mountain Vista on Wednesday night.
In bottom half of this region Douglas County beat our beloved Warriors by 10 (solid season for the Bellos – FNE) and then had to face the highest seed Smoky Hill (No. 7). Coach Hardin of Smoky said that Douglas County came out with a defense devised to slow Kenny Foster and dynamic guard Quentin Rock, but this allowed the Buffs supporting cast to step up and Jordan Whittaker, Jalen Weaver (the super sophs) both responded with double digit scoring and Foster led all with 21 in the 17 point win.
Smoky will now get a visit from a confident Highlands Ranch squad that is playing well of late and as noted above beat a short-handed Regis squad in the final seconds by 1!
This is a rematch of a game Smoky won by 31 BIG ONES back in November and the Falcons will be eager to show their improvement … the Buffs looking to stay unbeaten at home on the season!
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Larry Farmer Region
(Marcus Gipson/Jmariahimages.com)
In our preview we were clear that No. 3 seed Rangeview was the favorite at the top of the bracket, but Grandview has to be the fav to come out of this region.
The Raiders made quick work of Windsor, doubling them up 70-34 in Round 2 of this Region. No surprise the Raiders’ big man Quincy Jewett took his double-double streak into the playoffs, scoring 18 and pulling down 14 rebounds in the route. The Raiders now look to hold court (11-0 at home) vs. Fountain-Fort Carson.
FFC, the 19 seed, was led by senior Rashon Barron, who scored 16 in the Trojans’ win over Arvada West. Senior James Sanders added 15 in the 10-point road win over the higher seed Wildcats. KeyShawn Maltbia leads FFC with 17 points per game and they’ll need multiple players in double-figure scoring at Rangeview, which is averaging 74 points per game. The Trojans can put up points as they scored 95 in their Round 1 win!
Bottom half of this region is led by our favorite here, defending champ Grandview. We all know the champ will be a “tough out,” returning players who participated greatly in the last year’s title game. Boulder beat a talented GW team Round 1 but didn’t have enough to stay within 20 points of the Wolves, going down 55-32.
The team that surprised Grandview early in the season and handed them their first in-state loss was Rock Canyon. The Jags got by Northglenn by 22 points in Round 2. The Jags, who usually grind it out, were putting up the points this night, 77-55. Will they return to the “grind” style that earned the LOW scoring 37-36 December home win?
If they do, they’ll have to do it in the Wolves house this time around and Grandview is 8-1 in their house!
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Kent Smith Region
(Jack Eberhard/JacksActionShots.com)
Centennial Tough at the top of this bracket and it played out just that way with No. 4 seed Overland and No. 13 seed Eaglecrest taking care of early round business. These two are in for their third meeting of the season in the Sweet 16.
Overland got a combined 38 points from their studs Graham Ike and Hezekiah Swanson in their win over Horizon, who was close at the half, but the Trailblazers eventually pulled away by 13.
Eaglecrest found themselves in a rematch vs. Legend, who they beat early in the season in Parker in the final moments. This one wasn’t quite as dramatic as the Raptors were in full control late, ending the Titans’ season 75-67. This will be Round 3 of the Eaglecrest/Overland tussle and the Blazers won both previous meetings last month by double digits.
The Raptors will have to try to find some answer for Graham Ike on the inside…which is tough for any team in the state! Aaron Bokol and Ty Robinson of the Raptors are special players and will need extraordinary nights to get Overland in their house.
Don’t look now but our Ball Fever prediction of the “city vs. the suburbs” Sweet 16 match of Denver East at ThunderRidge has become a reality!
East had no problem Round 1 pounding Gateway and even without their Wyoming commit Kwane Marble missing they beat higher seed Ralston Valley by 19! Coach Carey has this version of the Angels hitting on all cylinders at the right time and we hope Marble is able to return for the coming matchup. Senior Caulin Swain stepped up in Marble’s absence, scoring 20 points, and what about “freshman alert!” Langsston Reynolds pulling down a “monsta” 16 rebounds at Ralston Valley?
ThunderRidge got DEFENSIVE giving up single digits in the first two quarters vs. Poudre. Senior Kevin Sax led the scoring efforts with a game-high 21. The match with East will be a contrast of styles as East will want to get out and go as they average close to 80 points per game vs. T-Ridge’s 57.
Expect some zone from the Grizzlies and an attempt to slow the pace…and expect the Angels to try and force that Grizzly size into a track meet. Classic chess match here and the wildcard will be whether or not Marble available for the Angels…this will be fun!
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Class 4A
Ron Vlasin Region
(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
No. 1 seed Lewis Palmer does it again, winning by 17 over Ponderosa who was obviously well-tested from their Continental League play. The 17 seed took down the 16 in Greeley Central’s 54-49 win over The Classical Academy.
Two of our top 4A players will see each other here as Greeley Central’s Jackson Hayslip, who averages 21 points per game, will see the Rangers do-it-all Joel Scott, who’s at 19 per game himself. The Rangers average almost 20 more points per game and Scott’s running mate Matt Ragsdale is coming off another 20-plus performance and can be a difference-maker here!
Some would call it a surprise in the bottom part of this region where Thomas Jefferson advanced to the Sweet 16 and will face the No. 9 seed Centaurus. The Spartans ended Wheat Ridge’s great season as a No. 25 seed, taking down the host No. 8 seed. Centaurus didn’t face as much of a challenge as they cruised past Eagle Valley by 18.
The Spartans scouting report will read: OWEN KOONCE! Fever Crew got to see this Centaurus stud in-person. He averages 18 per game and can score from inside or out. Speaking of scoring, the Spartans have a spark named Darius Hornbuckle who can “fill it up!” as well. Another fun game of contrasting styles. TJ trying to carry the torch for the city in 4A along with Lincoln.
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Larry Brunson Region
(Conner Davis/CHSAANow.com)
Undefeated defending champ Longmont is no stranger to big wins and this Round 2 victory by 30 POINTS over Discovery Canyon came as no surprise to those who know the Trojans’ fire power. They’ll see Pueblo Central, who also won big by 19 in their Round 2 tangle with Durango.
Nico Martin, who averages 16 points per game for Pueblo Central, will have to step up big for them to have a shot at slowing Longmont’s 70 points per game and 24-0 streak!
Bottom half of this region was a bit more of an unknown as the higher seed Glenwood Springs from the west came in as a bit of an unknown and Golden handled them easily by 18 in an upset of seed No. 26 over No. 7.
Alameda was on a special run this season but ran into “super soph” Donta Dawson from Harrison, who poured out another double-double with 19 points, 10 assists in that win.
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Guy Gibbs Region
(Dan Mohrmann/CHSAANow.com)
No. 46 seed Pueblo County knocked out 19 seed Evergreen on the road but couldn’t beat rival Pueblo East, who advanced in Round 2 with a five-point win over County. In another one of those “unknowns” in a team none of us have seen much of from the west Steamboat Springs (No. 3 seed) won by 31 over Canon City.
Pueblo East will come with their team approach in this one…very balanced squad statistically and Steamboat Springs couldn’t be more of a polar opposite as Mac Riniker not only leads the team in scoring at 18 points per game, he leads the team in EVERY statistical category!
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Richard Tate Region
(Jeff Tucker/jefferywtucker.zenfolio.com)
Holy Family is the recent veteran and successful 4A squad here and they beat an upstart DPL Northfield team, who is up and coming, by 18. Holy Family will face another squad with proud 4A history in Lincoln, who dropped Montrose 65-41.
Lincoln at Holy Family is one of the better matchups in any region of 5A and 4A. The Tigers pride themselves in defense and the Lancers have the horses to get out and go and make it more of a transition game. Tanner Baird, 16 points per game for Holy Family with his enforcer Helbig are tough, but the Lancers have a four-headed monster of Bamba, Felton, Foster, and Brown who can challenge any 4A squad if on their game. Did we use the “chess match” phrase yet?
Looking for the lowest seed still alive? Look no further than No. 44 Coronado, who knocked off Palisade by 3. Unfortunately, they will now have to face our Ball Fever “sleeper” Mead, who beat Skyview by 22 points.
Coronado is 9-16 overall but the exact reason we love this time of year! A team can unite in the end of the season and make an unexpected Cinderella-type run but knocking off Mead who is on a 20 GAME WIN STREAK may be a bit too much to ask from Coronado. Play it out on the floor!
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Sixteen tickets will be punched to the “Great 8” for our big school 5A and 4A boys teams this week! Less than a week away from out annual visit to the Colisuem … can’t wait!!
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.
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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.
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.
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)
