DENVER — It’s not exactly a common scenario for a defending state champion to be flying under the radar, but Coronado junior Jess Hankin may be doing exactly that.
One year after capturing the Class 5A state title at 113 pounds, Hankin is ranked third at 126 pounds, the only 5A division to feature another defending champion in Cherry Creek’s Mitch Finesilver.
That’s why Hankin, who kicked off his 2014 state tournament Thursday night at Pepsi Center by pinning Aurora Central’s Jonnathan Quijada in three minutes, 44 seconds, isn’t necessarily feeling the pressure that often comes with defending a title.
“It’s really more motivation, especially seeing as how I was ranked third all year,” Hankin said. “It gives me a goal to work up to. I’m not the No. 1 guy, so it takes a lot of the pressure off as well.”
Finesilver, who captured the 120-pound title as a junior, opened with an 11-1 major decision over Chaparral’s Dawson Cranmer. Ponderosa’s Kade Snider, the No. 2-ranked wrestler at 126, also advanced with a 7-2 decision over Fruita Monument’s Ian Konrad.
Hankin led 9-2 in the second period of his match before securing the fall.
“It’s not an ‘if-you-win.’ It’s a definite win,” Hankin said. “It’s not so much a confidence booster as it is just nice to get it out of the way.”
That sentiment was a common one among the wrestlers Thursday. Each of the defending champions moved on to Friday morning’s quarterfinals, including two-time state champion P.T. Garcia at 132. The senior scored a technical fall of 22-7 over Liberty’s Grady Brewster.
Grand Junction’s Jacob Trujillo (160), Ponderosa’s Dylan Gab el (182) and Regis Jesuit’s Grant Neal (220) also moved forward. Mountain Range’s Jorge Rodriguez (285), a 2012 state champion, needed only 19 seconds to notch a pin and advance.
Arvada West sent eight of its 11 qualifiers into the quarterfinals to take the team lead with 24 points after the first day. Pine Creek, which advanced seven, is second with 21 points and Ponderosa is third with 19 points.
No Wildcat was happier to be moving on than Taylor Bergquist. The junior had lost his opening match at state in overtime in each of his first two years, but Bergquist handled Ponderosa’s Tyler Turco with a 10-2 major decision at 152 pounds.
“It was really disappointing. It’s heart-breaking,” he said of his previous state experiences. “It feels good this year to get the first one out of the way.”
Bergquist moves on to face Boulder’s Martin Selby on Friday morning. His major decision helped to give the Wildcats an edge, especially considering it came against Ponderosa, which also sent 11 to state.
“It’s a big boost. Any extra points you can get helps,” Bergquist said. “Ponderosa’s a tough team, and we’re tough too.”
Legacy’s Ryan Deakin, who is undefeated this season, kept his perfect record intact with a lightning-quick pin of Rangeview’s Dominic Wenger in 28 seconds at 113 pounds.
“It’s good to get that out of the way,” Deakin said, “but there’s still a lot of wrestling to be done.”
It seemed almost anticlimactic to wait all day to wrestle only to spend 28 seconds on the mat, but Deakin didn’t view it that way.
“Every time I go out there I’m just trying to go out there and dominate the kid,” Deakin said. “I turned him, so it worked out. Sometimes it doesn’t.”
Among the other highlights from the first round included Finesilver’s three brothers joining him in the quarterfinals. Zach Finesilver notched a victory by pin at 138 pounds, and sophomore twins Josh (106) and Matt (113) also advanced.
Denver East’s Maya Nelson, the first female to ever qualify for the 5A state tourney, notched a victory with a 13-9 decision at 120 pounds.
