Eight newcomers joined this week’s football rankings. They are: ThunderRidge (5A), Ponderosa (4A), Harrison (3A), Salida and Berthoud (2A), Buena Vista (1A), Mancos (8-man), and Cotopaxi (6-man).
The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association. Polls are released each Monday.
Voted upon by coaches and media members around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing rcasey@chsaa.org. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.
Class 5A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Cherry Creek (9)
3-0
99
1
W
2
Valor Christian (1)
3-0
89
2
W
3
Columbine
3-0
78
4
W
4
Pomona
2-1
68
3
L
5
Grandview
3-0
56
5
W
6
Eaglecrest
3-0
45
7
W
7
ThunderRidge
3-0
38
–
W
8
Ralston Valley
3-0
28
8
W
9
Fairview
2-1
26
6
L
10
Arvada West
3-0
15
9
W
Others receiving votes:
Cherokee Trail 6, Mullen 2.
Dropped out
Mullen (10).
Class 4A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Pine Creek (13)
3-0
148
1
W
2
Loveland (2)
2-0
120
2
W
3
Chatfield
3-0
103
4
W
4
Skyline
2-0
80
5
Bye
5
Rampart
2-1
61
7
W
6
Broomfield
2-1
57
6
W
7
Montrose
3-0
53
8
W
8
Windsor
1-1
42
3
L
9
Ponderosa
1-2
31
–
W
10
Fruita Monument
1-1
27
9
Bye
Others receiving votes:
Vista Ridge 18, Heritage 15, Longmont 14, Grand Junction Central 12, Pueblo West 11, Brighton 10, Denver South 7, Hinkley 6, Vista Peak 6, Greeley West 2, Greeley Central 1, Widefield 1.
Dropped out
Monarch (10).
Class 3A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Erie (6)
3-0
104
1
W
2
Pueblo East (4)
3-0
93
3
W
3
Palisade
2-0
72
4
W
4
Discovery Canyon
3-0
65
6
W
5
Palmer Ridge
1-2
64
2
L
6
Holy Family
2-0
62
5
Bye
7
Thomas Jefferson (1)
2-0
52
7
Bye
8
Harrison
2-0
22
–
W
9
Fort Morgan
2-0
19
10
W
10
Durango
1-2
15
8
L
Others receiving votes:
Mead 6, Pueblo South 5, Conifer 4, Evergreen 4, Pueblo Centennial 4, Roosevelt 4, Frederick 3, Lewis-Palmer 3, Canon City 2, George Washington 1, Skyview 1.
Dropped out
Mead (9).
Class 2A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Bayfield (11)
3-0
127
1
W
2
La Junta (1)
3-0
102
2
W
3
Platte Valley
3-0
93
3
W
4
Resurrection Christian
2-0
82
4
Bye
5
Kent Denver (1)
2-0
79
6
W
6
Rifle
2-0
71
5
W
7
Eaton
2-0
47
9
W
8
Basalt
2-0
43
7
W
9
Salida
3-0
30
–
W
10
Berthoud
2-1
12
–
W
Others receiving votes:
Bennett 5, Bishop Machebeuf 5, Alamosa 4, The Academy 4, Moffat County 3, Pagosa Springs 3, Faith Christian 2, Delta 1, D’Evelyn 1, University 1.
Dropped out
Bennett (8), D’Evelyn (10).
Class 1A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Strasburg (8)
3-0
115
1
W
2
Limon (4)
2-0
109
2
W
3
Burlington
1-1
82
4
W
4
Peyton
2-0
74
5
W
5
Centauri
1-1
65
3
L
6
Wray
1-1
56
6
W
7
Crowley County
2-1
40
7
L
8
Holyoke
3-0
29
9
W
9
Meeker
1-1
24
8
Bye
10
Buena Vista
2-0
19
–
W
Others receiving votes:
Yuma 14, Paonia 12, Jefferson 8, St. Mary’s 5, Platte Canyon 4, Colorado Springs Christian 3, Olathe 1.
Dropped out
Cornerstone Christian (10).
8-man
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Sedgwick County (13)
2-0
130
1
W
2
West Grand
3-0
116
2
W
3
Sargent
2-0
83
5
W
4
Fowler
1-1
53
–
W
5
Hoehne
1-1
50
8
W
6
Holly
2-1
45
6
W
7
Caliche
1-1
38
7
Bye
8
Rangely
3-0
37
9
W
9
Akron
2-1
31
4
L
10
Mancos
2-0
30
–
W
Others receiving votes:
Merino 24, Soroco 14, Haxtun 13, Sanford 12, Byers 10, Simla 9, Norwood 6, Pikes Peak Christian 6, Custer County 3, Vail Christian 3, Dove Creek 2.
Dropped out
Merino (3), Soroco (10).
6-man
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Stratton/Liberty (8)
2-0
98
1
W
2
Otis (1)
2-0
87
2
W
3
Kit Carson (1)
2-0
84
3
W
4
Peetz
1-1
62
6
W
5
Flagler/Hi-Plains
2-0
55
8
W
6
Prairie
1-1
51
4
W
7
Cheyenne Wells
2-0
41
7
W
8
Briggsdale
1-1
25
10
L
9
Cotopaxi
2-0
14
–
W
10
Arickaree/Woodlin
1-1
12
5
L
Others receiving votes:
Granada 6, Fleming 5, Idalia 4, Weldon Valley 3, Manzanola 2, North Park 1.
The 2018 all-state baseball teams honor the best players in the sport as judged by the leagues and coaches. They are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.
These teams were created following a lengthy process which included nominations from leagues, and then a vote of head coaches.
Player and coach of the year was also selected by a vote of the coaches.
[divider]
Class 5A
Mountain Vista’s Sam Ireland. (Tim Bourke/MaxPreps)
Player of the year: Sam Ireland, Mountain Vista
Coach of the year: Ron Quintana, Mountain Vista
First Team
Name
School
Pos.
Year
Brayden Brooks
Mountain Range
Senior
Garrett Declue
Arapahoe
LHP/CF
Senior
Riley Egloff
Heritage
RHP/3B
Senior
Sam Ireland
Mountain Vista
RHP/3B/1B
Junior
Niklavs Levensteins
Ralston Valley
3B/2B
Senior
Jack Liffrig
Mountain Vista
LHP
Senior
Justin Olson
Pine Creek
1B/LHP
Senior
Tanner O’Tremba
Cherry Creek
Zach Paschke
Mountain Vista
INF
Senior
Second Team
Name
School
Pos.
Year
Justin Boyd
Legend
SS/CF
Junior
Matthew Boyd
Regis Jesuit
Senior
Riley Cornelio
Pine Creek
SS/RHP
Junior
Brandon Dryer
Arapahoe
LF/RHP/2B
Senior
Hayden Heinze
Rocky Mountain
OF
Senior
AJ Jergensen
Ralston Valley
OF
Junior
Arian Jimenez-Quezada
Heritage
SS/3B/RHP
Senior
Kasey Koppelmaa
Chatfield
LHP/OF
Senior
Andrew Morris
Monarch
2B/P
Senior
Josh Thompson
Highlands Ranch
P
Senior
Honorable mention:
Luke Bailey, Chaparral, OF, Senior
Jake Barber, Cherokee Trail, Senior
Simon Baumgardt, Lakewood, P/SS, Junior
Tyler Boggs, Fruita Monument, C, Senior
Alex Champagne, Heritage, SS/2B, Freshman
Colten Chase, Cherokee Trail, Senior
Dorsey Chatham, Boulder,
Pete Chronowski, Heritage, LHP/1B, Junior
Benjamin Derosiers, Castle View, LHP/1B/CF, Senior
Ozzie Dominguez, Aurora Central, P/1B, Senior
John Emerson, Denver East, Junior
Tanner Garner, Broomfield, Senior
Zach Goodman, Arapahoe, C/OF/UTIL, Senior
Jake Greiving, Legend, C/OF/3B, Junior
Zach Harstad, Loveland, 1B/LHP/OF, Junior
Calvin Hunt, Ralston Valley, RHP, Junior
Jenner Kehe, Lakewood, P/OF/SS, Sophomore
Cam Kennedy, Smoky Hill, CF/3B/2B, Junior
Reese Lansville, ThunderRidge, RHP/INF, Senior
Cale Lansville, ThunderRidge, RHP/INF, Freshman
Grant Magill, Mountain Vista, C, Junior
Jayden Martinez, Grandview, OF/DH, Junior
Nick Merone, Rock Canyon,
Trey Morrill, Fruita Monument, P/OF, Senior
Cade Nelson, Rocky Mountain, INF/P, Junior
Drew Norsen, Fort Collins, OF/LHP, Sophomore
Jay Onken, Pine Creek, OF/RHP, Senior
Ryan Overboe, Legacy, LHP/1B/RF, Senior
Quentin Parr, Cherry Creek,
Mike Polson, Mountain Range, Senior
Henry Rock, Fairview, Junior
Tyler Schultz, Cherry Creek,
Frankie Shearn, Columbine, OF, Senior
Ross Smith, Legacy, RHP/RF, Senior
Drew Stahl, Mountain Vista, INF, Junior
Ryan Stohr, Dakota Ridge, RHP/1B, Junior
Zach Sulyma, Eaglecrest, 3B/C, Senior
David Velasquez, Brighton, SS/P/3B, Senior
Wyatt Wendell, Rock Canyon,
Reggie Williams, Douglas County, Senior
Kevin Zapanta, Overland, 2B/1B/RHP, Senior
[divider]
Class 4A
Valor Christian’s Josh Danyliw. (Paul DiSalvo/MaxPreps)
LAKEWOOD — During the final day of the state track and field meet at Jeffco Stadium, Fountain Fort-Carson continued a championship tradition that is nearly unmatched in Colorado.
The Trojans (100 points) won the 5A boys state crown for the fourth time in five years. Cherry Creek was the runner-up with 71.
A dynamic group of athletes featuring Jalen Lyon (200-meter dash and 400 champion), Deondre Ritter (2nd in 100), and Jequan Hogan (high jump champion, triple jump runner-up, third place in long jump) led the way in explosive events.
But, in the 800 relay final Cherry Creek was in first after three legs. Lyon, a University of Northern Colorado recruit, made up the gap on the anchor leg, helping Fountain win a thrilling race in 1 minute, 26.53 seconds. The Bruins were second in 1:26.65.
“We knew it was going to be close, because Cherry Creek always pushes us like that,” Lyon said. “I fought him at the end and that was probably the most adrenaline I’ve ever had in a race. I had my boys on my mind.”
The camaraderie and expectations within the program are elements of their success.
(Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“We’re a family,” Lyon said. “We make jokes, we practice hard, we push each other hard, and we talk each other up. The coaches also push us to continue the legacy.”
Following in the footsteps of older brother Christian (100 and 200 titles in 2016), Lyon joined a lengthy list of sprinters who have won multiple sprint crowns in the same season for the Trojans. Donovan Williams (2017), Tevin Donnell (2015), and Markesh Woodson (2011) all claimed championships of their own in the shorter sprint races.
That is quite a run of talent. Fountain has now tallied 20 state championships (all since 1960) in boys track and field, tying Fort Collins for the state record.
Several of the terrific Trojans, ones who won’t soon be forgotten, have signed with college programs, including Jason Farrell (hurdler, Northern Colorado) and Jequan Hogan (Texas Tech). Hogan was the New Balance national champion indoors in the triple jump as a senior.
Jawuan Tate (158-9) added 10 more points to Fountain’s total with a discus crown. Iosua Maika (49-4) finished fifth in shot put.
[divider]
Class 5A
Devin Cadena of Rock Canyon (10.70) nipped Deondre Ritter (10.71) in a fast 100 final. The Jaguars tasted plenty of success this weekend.
Liberty veteran Andrew Doctor did the same to Overland’s Joel Nyatusah with times of 14.35 to 14.38 in the high hurdle final.
Michael Mooney (3,200 champion Thursday) capped a terrific career for Broomfield with a winning dive against Mountain Vista’s Carter Dillon in the 1,600. 4:16.15 and 4:16.17 were the final marks for the pair of Division I recruits.
The Broomfield Eagles also produced the 300 hurdle champion in Mitchell Gorman (37.83).
Highlands Ranch junior Drake Nugent launched a winning throw of 55 feet, 9.5 inches in shot put.
Fort Collins was exceptional in triple jump, finishing 1st (junior Allam Bushara, 49-9.25, outstanding mark), 3rd, 4th, and 8th. Micaylon Moore, the third place finisher, won long jump as well.
[divider]
Class 4A
(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
Silver Creek (3:23) finished runner-up in the 1,600 relay behind Mullen (3:22). That added enough points to their final tally to secure their first-ever title in track and field. The school’s last team championship came in football in 2012. The Raptors (60.5 points) pulled away from Pueblo South (52), Pine Creek (51), and Valor Christian (50).
Silver Creek’s James Lee (University of Pennsylvania recruit) won the 800 on Friday and finished as the runner-up in the 1,600 on Saturday as they received further contributions in distance, jumps, pole vault, throws, and relays. In cross country, the Raptors had gotten close to winning titles each of the last two seasons with Lee, Brock Dykema (Colorado State), and Logan Simington (Arkansas State) all among the top talents in the classification.
Pueblo South did win the 400 relay in a thriller over Mullen with times of 42.44 and 42.47 seconds.
185-9 was the winning mark in discus for Kain Medrano of Pueblo East. That surpassed a 28-year old classification record of 183-11 by Ron Wach of Estes Park.
Medrano’s teammate, Luc Andrada, claimed the 100 crown in 10.66 seconds.
Angelo Hurtado of Roosevelt cleared the 110 hurdles quicker than anyone in 4A with a time of 14.48.
Tyrese Van Horne (21.63) added to a rich tradition in sprints for the Harrison Panthers with a 200 championship. He’s only a sophomore.
Sensational underclassmen Cole Sprout of Valor Christian (4:14) responded to a strong move by James Lee (4:19) with a fast 300-meter finish to win the four-lapper.
Valor’s Dane Palazzo and Pine Creek’s Wyatt Wieland shared the 300 hurdles crown with a time of 38.01.
Yet another champion was crowned from Colorado Springs as Air Academy senior Josiah Molascon (14-6) won pole vault.
[divider]
Class 3A
(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
Bayfield’s Carl Heide (14.65) was unmatched in the 110 hurdles. He also won the 300 hurdles in 38.69 (state record in 3A yesterday). Heide provided a boatload of points for a program that has one other track championship in their history (girls in 1991).
Bayfield tallied 79.5 points to win their first boys track title, but the Wolverines have corralled plenty of hardware in other seasons this school year while winning 2A football and 3A basketball. The Classical Academy was the runner-up with 73 points.
Lutheran, always a major presence, especially in sprints, had won four team championships in a row (three in 3A, one in 2A).
Seven Lindsey of Kent Denver topped all challengers in the 100 (10.74) and 200 (21.78).
Junior Chad Jackson, an Alamosa stalwart, completed 400 meters in first place with a time of 49.91.
Woodland Park junior Skye Ciccarelli (6-4) conquered high jump.
No one was able to better RidgeView Academy senior Inaujee Ison in long jump (21-2.25).
The Spartans of Berthoud (43.18) celebrated a victorious 400 relay.
Ryan Moen, a senior for TCA who also won the 3,200, had just enough foot speed to outlean Denver West sophomore Yasin Sado in the 1,600. Sado was also the runner-up in the 800. 4:25.72 and 4:25.75 were the final times.
[divider]
Class 2A
(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
The team competition between Resurrection Christian and Lyons was close, but the Cougars displayed the necessary depth to outlast the Boulder County power. The group donned in white and blue racked up 63 points, holding off both Lyons (58) and Cedaredge (58).
Rez had earned runner-up honors in recent years, but had never before won state. That changed this weekend with placers in most events on and off the track. Freshman Tanner Applebee (21-3.5) was the long jump champion on Thursday for a program that started only seven years ago.
Patrick Scoggins of Rangely (51.02) grabbed gold in the 400. The senior had an illustrious career with a number of state medals.
Ben Kelley further cemented his status as one of the greatest 2A competitors in state history in any event by going back-to-back in the 1,600 (4:23). The leap team was led by junior Grant Redmond (6-5 high jump) of Soroco, Kelley’s teammate.
14.90 was the winning mark in 110 hurdles by Austin Davis of Byers.
Michael Morgan of Buena Vista (11.23) was the 100 sprint king.
Hoehne has a veteran 300 hurdler in Jacob Yates (39.50) who proved his worth as a champion.
22.62 was the winning 200 time by Ty Grant of Cedaredge, continuing a proud tradition in sprints for the program. The 400 relay (45.12) and the 1,600 relay (3:30.01) crowns were also claimed by Cedaredge.
[divider]
Class 1A
(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
Heritage Christian boys compiled a monstrous total of 169 points to win their fifth state championship in six years.
Junior Levi Kilian (1:59, 4:34, 10:04) swept the 1A distance events and shattered 1A state meet records in the 1,600 and 3,200. Isaiah Bowsher (4:38) also broke a state meet record that was previously held by Ryan Dollerschell of Prairie in the 1,600 (4:42 in 2014). Seth Bruxvoort (4:45) and Keaton Case (4:47) ensured the Eagles of a sweep of the top four places.
HCA also flourished in the sprints as Josh Damir (11.28, 22.87) swept the 100 and 200. He was the runner-up in the 300 hurdles. The Eagles finished the meet with a victorious 1,600 relay of 3:35.
Cotopaxi junior Arlo Garner (15.42, 39.56) was the title winner of the 110 hurdles and the 300 hurdles.
Holly sophomore Alex Ramos (50.72) proved his worth in the 400 as an underclassmen. He could be a force for years to come.
North Park (45.68) had a stronger foursome in the 400 relay than anyone else in 1A.
Pole vaulters will have to deal with Pikes Peak Christian again next year. Juniors Tommy Harmon (12-3) and Sam Smith (11-3) were wildly impressive in earning gold and silver.
Golden 13, Pueblo County 8, Durango 5, Lewis-Palmer 5, Thomas Jefferson 5, Elizabeth 4, Palisade 4, Air Academy 3, Fort Morgan 1, Mead 1, Pueblo South 1.
Dropped out:
Golden (8).
Class 3A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
University (7)
13-1
87
1
2-0
2
Lamar (2)
15-1
83
2
4-0
3
Faith Christian
10-1
65
4
1-0
4
La Junta
11-3
58
5
2-1
5
Eaton
7-3
43
6
2-0
6
Sterling
8-4
37
3
0-3
7
Valley
9-5
35
9
3-0
8
Peak to Peak
8-2
28
7
0-1
9
Kent Denver
6-4
12
–
0-0
10
Buena Vista
8-2
11
–
1-0
Others receiving votes:
Colorado Academy 9, Bennett 5, Lutheran 5, Resurrection Christian 5, Alamosa 4, Aspen 3, The Academy 2, Weld Central 2, Platte Valley 1.
Dropped out:
Colorado Academy (8), The Academy (10).
Class 2A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Peyton (7)
12-1
104
1
1-0
2
Paonia (5)
13-1
103
2
3-1
3
Limon
9-2
82
3
1-0
4
Hotchkiss
11-1
71
5
2-0
5
Sedgwick County
11-1
70
4
2-0
6
Rocky Ford
10-3
44
8
0-0
7
Lyons
11-2
42
7
1-0
8
Calhan
11-3
22
–
1-0
9
Yuma
8-4
21
6
0-1
10
Sargent
13-2
20
–
2-0
Others receiving votes:
Evangelical Christian 18, Dawson 12, Meeker 12, Dayspring Christian 9, Highland 8, Front Range Christian 6, Sanford 5, Fowler 4, Denver Christian 3, Simla 2, Haxtun 1, Swink 1.
Dropped out:
Haxtun (9), Dawson (10).
Class 1A
RK
TEAM
W-L
PTS
PVS
LW
1
Cornerstone Christian (4)
11-1
65
2
3-0
2
Holly (3)
6-5
61
1
0-2
3
Caliche
8-5
47
5
2-0
4
Otis
11-2
38
3
2-1
5
Elbert
5-2
30
4
0-1
6
Peetz
6-2
29
7
2-0
7
Nucla
7-7
28
–
2-0
8
Denver Jewish Day
3-2
19
–
2-0
9
Cotopaxi
9-4
18
6
1-0
10
Springfield
3-6
12
–
1-1
Others receiving votes:
Longmont Christian 10, Manzanola 10, Stratton/Liberty 7, Mile High Academy 5, Eads 4, Dove Creek 2.
Dropped out:
Stratton/Liberty (8), Longmont Christian (9), Dove Creek (10).
The 2017-18 all-state wrestling teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.
These teams were created based upon results at the state meet. Coaches and wrestlers of the year were selected by the Colorado High School Coaches Association at the state meet.
Scroll down to see the teams, or use the menu below to navigate to the class of your choosing.
[divider]
Class 5A
(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
Wrestler of the year: Jacob Greenwood, Poudre
Coach of the year: Cole Allison, Grand Junction
First team
Name
Year
School
Weight
Dawson Collins
Sophomore
Grand Junction
113
Vince Cornella
Freshman
Monarch
106
Gabe Dinette
Senior
Lakewood
160
Jacob Greenwood
Senior
Poudre
145
Malik Heinselman
Senior
Castle View
120
Josiah Rider
Senior
Grand Junction
152
Theorius Robison
Junior
Pomona
132
Christian Rowell
Senior
Adams City
170
Tate Samuelson
Senior
Castle View
182
Fabian Santillan
Junior
Grandview
126
Cohlton Schultz
Junior
Ponderosa
285
Mason Watt
Senior
Broomfield
220
Jayden Woodruff
Senior
Ponderosa
195
Colton Yapoujian
Junior
Pomona
138
Second team
Name
Year
School
Weight
Josh Betts
Senior
Rocky Mountain
160
Gavin Deaguero
Senior
Adams City
152
Aidan Funk
Senior
Legacy
170
Nicholas Gonzales
Senior
Adams City
126
Job Greenwood
Junior
Poudre
132
Alec Hargreaves
Sophomore
Rocky Mountain
195
Brody Lamb
Senior
Poudre
138
Seth Latham
Senior
Grand Junction
182
Adrian Marquez
Junior
Castle View
113
Dylan Martinez
Senior
Grand Junction
145
Weston Mayer
Senior
Poudre
285
Justin Pacheco
Junior
Pomona
120
Hunter Tobiasson
Junior
Grand Junction
220
Wyatt Yapoujian
Sophomore
Pomona
106
[divider]
Class 4A
(Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
Wrestler of the year: Andrew Alirez, Greeley Central
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.
