LAFAYETTE — There wasn’t a single individual standing atop the podium Saturday evening who wasn’t reveling in the moment of winning a prestigious wrestling tournament like Top of the Rockies.
That said, thoughts were already starting to drift to potentially standing on a different podium next month.
With the state wrestling tournament fast approaching, the Top of the Rockies at Centaurus High School offered a glimpse into the future. From Broomfield’s Phil Downing, who will be seeking a fourth state title, to top-ranked Arvada West seeking its first team crown in more than two decades, the two-day experience at Centaurus was a good barometer for what could be in store Feb. 20-22 at Pepsi Center in Denver.
“It feels good because this is the premier tournament in the state of Colorado. (Centaurus Athletic Director) Paul Roper does an amazing job and he needs to be credited with that work,” Arvada West assistant coach Mark Schmidt said. “It gives us a little bit of confidence, but next year, no one is going to remember who won this tournament. They’ll remember who won the state tournament.”
The Wildcats, who currently top the Class 5A On the Mat rankings, dominated the weekend. Arvada West finished with 200 points to outdistance Thompson Valley (155.5) and Broomfield (144).
Bennie Pachello brought home the team’s only individual title in his first trip to the tournament with a 9-3 decision over Pueblo South’s Marcus Martinez at 132 pounds. Schmidt said he believes it’s the team’s first-ever champion at Top of the Rockies.
“I feel like if we wrestle like we did at this tournament at state,” Pachello said, “then we’re going to bring home a state title.”
Arvada West had three others reach the finals in addition to Pachello and a handful of additional placers. The team won on Saturday despite the fact that coach Ron Granieri is serving a school-imposed sanction based on a violation of CHSAA rules. Both Granieri and the team are on restriction from the postseason, though the school is currently working on a plan to have both removed from restriction.
Downing’s contest with Miguel Barreras of Rio Rancho (N.M.) in the 160-pound final may have been the match of the night, judging by the crowd’s reaction. Downing trailed 4-3 before getting a penalty point and a reversal with 6.2 seconds remaining in the third period to post a 6-4 victory via decision.
“I knew I had to pull something out of me to come up with the win,” Downing said. “I dug down deep and just scored the last two points I needed.”
With regionals just three weeks away, Downing’s thoughts are already on the postseason and trying to join the elite four-time state champion club.
“I feel like I’m in the state finals sometimes. I think about it that much,” Downing said. “It’s nerve-wracking and it’s a lot of pressure, but I just need to do what I need to do win it and it will all take care of itself.”
Another former state champion who took home first Saturday was Cherry Creek’s Mitch Finesilver. The senior edged Cheyenne East’s Brody Cress 6-5 at 126 pounds.
“It feels awesome. That’s the gameplan the whole time – just go in, score points,” Finesilver said. “My team … I couldn’t have done it without them.”
Finesilver’s twin brother Zach, advanced to the finals at 138 pounds before falling to Bryce Meredith of Cheyenne Central (Wyo.) 12-7. Younger brother Matt was also a finalist at 113 but fell 7-0 to Legacy’s Ryan Deakin.
“It’s great. I love it,” Mitch Finesilver said of having his siblings competing Saturday night. “It’s always awesome to see your family do well.”
Other champions included Pomona’s Tomas Gutierrez at 106 and Josh Rosales at 120; Colton Adams of Scottsbluff (Neb.) at 145; Rocky Mountain’s Roman Ortiz at 152; Omaha North’s (Neb.) JaCobi Jones (170) and JaVaughn Perkins (182); Cheyenne East’s Tevis Bartlett at 195; Grand Island’s (Neb.) Chase Reis (220); and Broomfield’s Austyn Harris at heavyweight.
Meredith and Perkins were voted as the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestlers.
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Results
Team Scores: Arvada West 200, Thompson Valley 155.5, Broomfield 144, Rocky Mountain 130, Cheyenne East 129, Cherry Creek 120.5, Omaha North 118, Pomona 116, Scottsbluff 113, Grand Island 106.5, Pueblo South 105.5.
Championship Matches
106: Tomas Gutierrez, Pomona, dec. Cody Fatzinger, Arvada West, 6-0
113: Ryan Deakin, Legacy, dec. Matt Finesilver, Cherry Creek, 7-0
120: Josh Rosales, Pomona, pin Steven Lahnert, Cheyenne East, :57
126: Mitch Finesilver, Cherry Creek, dec. Brody Cress, Cheyenne East, 6-5
132: Bennie Pachello, Arvada West, dec. Marcus Martinez, Pueblo South, 9-3
138: Bryce Meredith, Cheyenne Central, dec. Zach Finesilver, Cherry Creek, 12-7
145: Colton Adams, Scottsbluff, dec. Payton Tawater, Arvada West, 5-4
152: Roman Ortiz, Rocky Mountain, dec. Mike Berg, Thompson Valley, 3-0
160: Phil Downing, Broomfield, dec. Miguel Barreras, Rio Ranch, 6-4
170: JaCobi Jones, Omaha North, maj. dec. Mason Harms, Cherry Creek, 13-2
182: JaVaughn Perkins, Omaha North, pin Zach Stodden, Broomfield, 2:58
195: Tevis Bartlett, Cheyenne East, pin Devin Rothrock, Arvada West, 5:09
220: Chase Reis, Grand Island, pin Jacob Ornelas, FL, 3:40
285: Austyn Harris, Broomfield, dec. Brett Schaeffer, Cheyenne East, 3-1, OT
