Class 3A Wrestling Regional Recap and State Preview
By Tyler Buhr
The State Tournament is here! We kick things off at Noon tomorrow at Ball Arena. Here is a quick look back at Regionals, plus we dive into the State Tournament with a great preview!
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Region 1
| Team | Score | Champions | Qualifiers |
| Fort Morgan | 228.0 | 0 | 10 |
| Eaton | 198.5 | 5 | 8 |
| The Classical Academy | 176.5 | 0 | 7 |
| Bennett | 165.5 | 2 | 6 |
| Wellington | 159.5 | 2 | 6 |
| Weld Central | 139.5 | 0 | 7 |
| Platte Valley | 116.0 | 2 | 5 |
| Resurrection Christian | 87.0 | 2 | 2 |
| Timnath | 81.0 | 0 | 2 |
| Berthoud | 80.5 | 1 | 2 |
| Sterling | 28.0 | 0 | 1 |
| Liberty Common | 10.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Estes Park | 6.0 | 0 | 0 |
106: 1st Treyden McCarrel of Wellington; 2nd Alexis Melendez of Fort Morgan; 3rd Emmanuel Solis of Weld Central; 4th Nicco Thompson of The Classical Academy.
113: 1st Braxton Smith of Eaton; 2nd Ulysses Montes of Fort Morgan; 3rd Brayden Yakich of The Classical Academy; 4th Donald Selby of Wellington.
120: 1st Benjamin Gomez of Wellington; 2nd Blake Hawkins of Eaton; 3rd Jacob Molina of Fort Morgan; 4th Liam Sanchez of Bennett.
126: 1st Louden Kindsfater of Eaton; 2nd Cristofer Juan of Fort Morgan; 3rd Cooper Howell of Weld Central; 4th Owen Gabbert of Wellington.
132: 1st Parker Wickam of Eaton; 2nd Conner Derry of Fort Morgan; 3rd Caycen Scholz of Bennett; 4th Nathaniel Perkins of The Classical Academy.
138: 1st Ethan Deal of Eaton; 2nd Darius Masias of Fort Morgan; 3rd Ronin Van Wynen of The Classical Academy; 4th Aiden Ortega of Sterling.
144: 1st Logan Vannest of Platte Valley; 2nd Dylan Paris of Eaton; 3rd Mormon Jordan of Bennett; 4th Ryan Hale of Weld Central.
150: 1st Ethan Jordan of Bennett; 2nd Gavin Kitzman of Weld Central; 3rd Jeremiah Mills of Fort Morgan; 4th Haydn Lebsack of Eaton.
157: 1st Tommy Cearns of Bennett; 2nd Miguel Contreras of Platte Valley; 3rd Cristiano Ontiveros of Weld Central; 4th Marcellus Masias of Fort Morgan.
165: 1st Paxton Pettinger of Eaton; 2nd William Ellerman of Weld Central; 3rd Kenneth Jordan of Bennett; 4th Ben Fritzler of Fort Morgan.
175: 1st Josh Stockton of Resurrection Christian; 2nd Jackson Schipfer of The Classical Academy; 3rd Jaxon Ficarra of Berthoud; 4th Baudillio Modesto of Platte Valley.
190: 1st Jason Harrison of Platte Valley; 2nd Ivan Hochhalter of Timnath; 3rd Jesse Jones of Wellington; 4th Wyatt Gerkin of Weld Central.
215: 1st Donavon Farrell of Berthoud; 2nd Andrew Richins of The Classical Academy; 3rd Charlie Hanna of Timnath; 4th Oscar Reinhart of Platte Valley.
285: 1st Samuel Stockton of Resurrection Christian; 2nd Hayden Kenney of The Classical Academy; 3rd Hoss Davis of Wellington; 4th Mael Zannou of Fort Morgan.
Region 2
| Team | Score | Champions | Qualifiers |
| Jefferson | 184.5 | 3 | 8 |
| Pueblo Centennial | 178.5 | 1 | 7 |
| La Junta | 173.0 | 2 | 8 |
| Lamar | 152.5 | 1 | 6 |
| University | 141.0 | 2 | 4 |
| Brush | 118.0 | 2 | 5 |
| Florence High School | 100.5 | 1 | 4 |
| Salida | 86.0 | 1 | 3 |
| Woodland Park | 77.0 | 0 | 3 |
| James Irwin Charter | 74.5 | 0 | 4 |
| Middle Park | 66.0 | 1 | 2 |
| Sierra | 52.5 | 0 | 2 |
| Manitou Springs | 22.0 | 0 | 0 |
106: 1st Caden Cherrington of Middle Park; 2nd Demarcus Duggan of Pueblo Centennial; 3rd Mario Romero of La Junta; 4th Mikey Cornella of Florence High School.
113: 1st Joseph Gamez of La Junta; 2nd Cruz Trujillo of Pueblo Centennial; 3rd Aaron Quiroz Garcia of Jefferson; 4th Eian Blake of Brush.
120: 1st Ayden Arellano of University; 2nd AJ Alvarado of Jefferson; 3rd Damian Gomez of Lamar; 4th Zayden Davis of Woodland Park.
126: 1st Jordan Gamez of La Junta; 2nd Isaac Quiroz Garcia of Jefferson; 3rd Braylon Vargas of James Irwin Charter; 4th Dustin Hernandez of Brush.
132: 1st Justin Suddeth of Florence High School; 2nd Steven Perez of La Junta; 3rd Jeremiah Martinez‑Miller of Jefferson; 4th Ryon Fuqua of Woodland Park.
138: 1st Ricky Martinez of Jefferson; 2nd Tanner Hoover of Middle Park; 3rd Aiden Ramos of James Irwin Charter; 4th Zackery Hainer of Lamar.
144: 1st Enzo Hernandez of Jefferson; 2nd Raif Robinson of La Junta; 3rd Calhoun Hill of Salida; 4th Dominick Pastrana Perez of James Irwin Charter.
150: 1st Isaiah Gallegos of Jefferson; 2nd Santos Nunez of La Junta; 3rd Easton Wasilewski of Woodland Park; 4th Marco DeLeon of Lamar.
157: 1st Samuel Johnson of Salida; 2nd Zeke Quintero‑Hernandez of Pueblo Centennial; 3rd Moses Behnam‑Rondon of Florence High School; 4th Ayden Otto of Lamar.
165: 1st Austin Ley of Brush; 2nd Donnie Herrera of Sierra; 3rd Jacob Johnson of Salida; 4th Joe Garcia of Pueblo Centennial.
175: 1st Logan Benedetto of Pueblo Centennial; 2nd Josia Martinez of La Junta; 3rd James Hitzeman of Jefferson; 4th Beau Gentry of University.
190: 1st Ritchie Bruno of Brush; 2nd Aiden Perez of Lamar; 3rd Alex Serrano of University; 4th Damion Schaffer of Florence High School.
215: 1st Deshaun Salazar of University; 2nd Brendan Lee of Sierra; 3rd Donivin Rael of Pueblo Centennial; 4th Anderson Kuczkowski of James Irwin Charter.
285: 1st Angel Castillo of Lamar; 2nd Ezra Mestas of Pueblo Centennial; 3rd Urijah Vigil of La Junta; 4th Kaeden Bonilla of Brush.
Region 3
Region 3 Team Results — Scores, Champions, Qualifiers
| Team | Score | Champions | Qualifiers |
| Alamosa | 297.5 | 6 | 13 |
| Delta High School | 158.5 | 1 | 6 |
| Mullen | 153.5 | 5 | 6 |
| Skyview | 144.0 | 0 | 4 |
| Valley | 124.0 | 0 | 6 |
| Pagosa Springs | 121.0 | 1 | 5 |
| Grand Valley | 118.0 | 0 | 3 |
| Basalt High School | 82.5 | 0 | 4 |
| Bayfield | 82.5 | 1 | 3 |
| Montezuma‑Cortez | 80.5 | 0 | 3 |
| Rifle | 49.0 | 0 | 2 |
| Coal Ridge | 30.0 | 0 | 1 |
| Moffat County | 25.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steamboat Springs | 23.0 | 0 | 0 |
106: 1st Jeremiah Delacerda of Alamosa; 2nd Andrew Pedregon of Skyview; 3rd Brody Gherardini of Grand Valley; 4th Dustin Alvarado of Mullen.
113: 1st PJ Martinez of Mullen; 2nd Xavier Garcia of Valley; 3rd Bodie Stiegelmeyer of Montezuma‑Cortez; 4th Jonovan Gutierrez of Alamosa.
120: 1st Anthony Meder of Alamosa; 2nd Teagun Samora of Montezuma‑Cortez; 3rd Derick Curtis of Delta High School; 4th Isaiah Archuleta of Skyview.
126: 1st Connor Martindale of Bayfield; 2nd Braylon Davis of Delta High School; 3rd Colton Dudley of Valley; 4th Jonathan Olsen of Alamosa.
132: 1st Pablito Rodriguez of Alamosa; 2nd Jackson Rugaard of Grand Valley; 3rd Trenton Mestas of Valley; 4th Trever Sukle of Delta High School.
138: 1st Uriah Martinez of Alamosa; 2nd Diego Manriquez of Valley; 3rd Noah Orozco of Skyview; 4th Jiraiya Straw of Rifle.
144: 1st Daniel Martinez of Alamosa; 2nd Anthony Gonzalez of Skyview; 3rd Rusty Snyder of Montezuma‑Cortez; 4th Reese Appenzeller of Bayfield.
150: 1st Tony Griego of Alamosa; 2nd Carlos Corral of Valley; 3rd Hudson Mazur of Pagosa Springs; 4th Hunter Carbajal of Grand Valley.
157: 1st Colton Lucero of Pagosa Springs; 2nd Trenton Sukle of Delta High School; 3rd Caleb Quintana of Alamosa; 4th James Opp of Basalt High School.
165: 1st Cooper Loth of Mullen; 2nd Luca Del Cid of Basalt High School; 3rd Ryan Cordova of Alamosa; 4th Devin Gonzalez of Pagosa Springs.
175: 1st Isaak Chavez of Mullen; 2nd Rocky Hoffschneider of Valley; 3rd Noah Westbrook of Bayfield; 4th Ben Morfitt of Delta High School.
190: 1st Estevan Loya of Mullen; 2nd Jovanny Mendoza of Alamosa; 3rd Arath Lopez of Rifle; 4th Herberth Requeno of Basalt High School.
215: 1st Alex McKenna of Delta High School; 2nd Brooks Ragan of Basalt High School; 3rd Max Dokson of Alamosa; 4th Jimmy Elledge of Pagosa Springs.
285: 1st Champion Dyes of Mullen; 2nd Aaron Jordan of Alamosa; 3rd Bryce Bartel of Coal Ridge; 4th Hunter Martinez of Pagosa Springs.
Region 4
Scores, Champions, Qualifiers
| Team | Score | Champions | Qualifiers |
| Fort Lupton | 268.0 | 4 | 12 |
| Centauri High School | 189.0 | 2 | 7 |
| Holy Family | 160.0 | 1 | 7 |
| Gunnison | 145.5 | 3 | 5 |
| Alameda International | 119.0 | 0 | 7 |
| Strasburg | 110.0 | 2 | 5 |
| Elizabeth | 108.5 | 1 | 6 |
| Conifer | 76.5 | 0 | 3 |
| Denver West | 63.0 | 0 | 1 |
| Abraham Lincoln | 53.5 | 1 | 2 |
| Englewood High School | 33.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arvada | 23.5 | 0 | 0 |
| John F. Kennedy Commanders | 18.0 | 0 | 1 |
106: 1st Zayne Benson of Gunnison; 2nd Ezekiel Ortiz of Fort Lupton; 3rd Nester Pino of Holy Family; 4th Bradley Barnhart of Elizabeth.
113: 1st Josiah Orozco of Fort Lupton; 2nd Judah Kramer of Conifer; 3rd Tyler McCracken of Holy Family; 4th Caleb Ballejos of Alameda International.
120: 1st Isaiah Rodriguez of Fort Lupton; 2nd Hamid Hashimi of Alameda International; 3rd Kaden McCracken of Holy Family; 4th Noah Chavez of Centauri High School.
126: 1st Jordan Romero of Abraham Lincoln; 2nd Lorenzo Trujillo of Holy Family; 3rd Lorenzo Arellano of Fort Lupton; 4th Bentley Patrick of Gunnison.
132: 1st Cody Casebolt of Gunnison; 2nd Caden Casias of Centauri High School; 3rd Mukhtar Hashimi of Alameda International; 4th D’Angelo Cruz of Holy Family.
138: 1st Josiah Gonzales of Fort Lupton; 2nd Julian Patrick of Gunnison; 3rd Anthony Torrez of Alameda International; 4th Reagan Rosier of Strasburg.
144: 1st Zach Benson of Gunnison; 2nd Samuel Trujillo of Abraham Lincoln; 3rd Aiden Knecht of Centauri High School; 4th Adam Rackley of Conifer.
150: 1st Noah Weyers of Centauri High School; 2nd Jake Pounders of Holy Family; 3rd Frankie Ibarra of Fort Lupton; 4th Eli Sprague of Elizabeth.
157: 1st Adam Moore of Holy Family; 2nd Luke Ferland of Elizabeth; 3rd Eric Gonzalez of Fort Lupton; 4th Jared Rackley of Conifer.
165: 1st Dominick Martinez of Fort Lupton; 2nd Gabriel Macias of John F. Kennedy Commanders; 3rd Kingston Rodriguez of Strasburg; 4th Ronin Sexton of Elizabeth.
175: 1st Cadence Pearson of Strasburg; 2nd Xander Ramirez of Fort Lupton; 3rd Aiden DeLeon of Denver West; 4th Luis Palomares of Alameda International.
190: 1st Spencer Smith of Centauri High School; 2nd Donavon Buschman of Fort Lupton; 3rd Colton Williams of Elizabeth; 4th Adan Fernandez‑Navarro of Strasburg.
215: 1st Juan Fernandez of Strasburg; 2nd Harold McClain of Fort Lupton; 3rd Dorian Quintana of Centauri High School; 4th Amelio Cruz of Alameda International.
285: 1st Benson Inga of Elizabeth; 2nd Aaden Quintana of Centauri High School; 3rd Kaden Serna of Fort Lupton; 4th Jaymez Ramirez of Alameda International.
State Wrestling Tournament Preview
The Class 3A state tournament arrives this weekend with a stacked field and plenty on the line, as Eaton, Alamosa, Mullen, La Junta, and Fort Lupton all bring deep lineups capable of swinging the team race. Expect tight matches across weight classes, and a few surprise upsets from regional qualifiers hungry to make a name at state. This tournament will test depth, heart, and preparation, and by Saturday night we’ll know which programs and wrestlers rose to the moment.
Alamosa – The Favorite
Alamosa arrives as the team to beat after piling up the highest regional total and sending 13 qualifiers to state. They boast multiple regional champions and proven starters at key weights (106, 120, 132, 138, 144, 150) who can reach semifinals and convert big matches into team points. Expect them to lean on depth and experience: if their top seeds advance, Alamosa has the floor and ceiling to control the team race.
Eaton – The High‑Ceiling Squad
Eaton brings five regional champions and 8 qualifiers, a combination that offers both a high ceiling and the ability to score bonus points when their top guys go on runs. Their lower- and middle-weight champions (106, 120, 126, 132, 165) are capable of techs and pins that swing the team leaderboard quickly. The key for Eaton is converting those champions into deep runs and collecting bonus points rather than narrow decisions.
Fort Lupton – The Balanced Threa
Fort Lupton’s strength is balance: 12 qualifiers and four regional champions give them scoring across the bracket rather than reliance on a couple of stars. Their middle and upper weights (165, 175, 215, plus 120–150) are where they can pile up bonus points. Watch for steady placers and a handful of bonus-point wins that could vault them past teams with flashier top-end talent.
Fort Morgan – The Consistent Scorers
Fort Morgan scored well regionally through consistent placings and sends 10 qualifiers who routinely finish in scoring positions. They may not have the most regional champions, but their 106–126 stretch and multiple mid‑level point producers make them dangerous in the consolation grind. If Fort Morgan’s wrestlers keep chipping away in the lower weights and pick up a few upsets, they can outscore teams that depend on isolated champions.
Jefferson – The Dark Horse with Stars
Jefferson’s regional showing produced three champions and 8 qualifiers, giving them a mix of elite starters and useful depth. They have high-upside wrestlers at weights like 113, 138, 150, and 215 who can reach finals and deliver big team points. Look for Jefferson to make a push if their top seeds avoid early upsets and their mid‑card wrestlers score in consolations.
La Junta – The Depth Play
La Junta’s eight qualifiers and a couple of regional champions make them a classic depth team that benefits from bracket volatility. With strong contenders at 113, 126, 150 and a heavyweight presence, they can accumulate steady points through both main- and consolation-bracket scoring. La Junta’s path to a title runs through consistent placers and capitalizing on any upsets in the top half of the draw.
Mullen – The Bonus‑Point Boom
Mullen sends 6 qualifiers but boasts high-end talent and five regional champions who can change a tournament with bonus-point victories. Their studs at 113, 165, 175, 190 and 285 are the kind who, with a couple of pins or techs, can catapult the team up the standings. Mullen’s challenge is depth; if their top wrestlers hit the podium and collect bonus, they’ll be a late and dangerous mover on Saturday.
Teams Chasing
Valley, Bennett, The Classical Academy, Centauri, Holy Family, Gunnison: each of these teams looks poised to be threats for top ten finishes: Valley brings steady scorers in the 120–150 window (notably Trenton Mestas 132, Diego Manriquez 138, Carlos Corral 150) who can pile up bonus points and consolations; Bennett has reliable placers like Caycen Scholz 132, Ethan Jordan 150, Liam Sanchez 120 and regional momentum at 157 that translate into consistent scoring; The Classical Academy pairs lower‑weight depth with high‑value pieces (Nathaniel Perkins 132, Ronin Van Wynen 138, Andrew Richins 215) that can create big swings if a seed runs; Centauri is dangerous to climb with regional champs Spencer Smith 190 and Noah Weyers 150 along with the middle and heavy classes with Caden Casias 132, Aiden Knecht 144, Aaden and Dorian Quintana 285/215 able to deliver late, high‑value points; Holy Family is technically sound across many weights (Tyler/Kaden McCracken 113/120, Lorenzo Trujillo 126, Adam Moore 157, Jake Pounders 150) and can grind out decisions and a few bonus wins; and Gunnison features standout lower‑weight and mid‑card threats (Zayne Benson 106, Cody Casebolt 132, Julian Patrick 138, Zach Benson 144) who can spark upsets. Watch the 120–150 band for early momentum and the 165–285 stretch for the late swings that will determine which of these squads moves into true title contention.
What to watch
- Returning State Champs
- 106 – Jeremiah DeLacerda from Alamosa
- 120 – Blake Hawkins from Eaton
- 126 – Jordan Romero from Abraham Lincoln
- 126 – Jordan Gamez from La Junta
- 150 – Isaiah Gallegos from Jefferson
- 150 – Samuel Johnson from Salida
- 165 – Austin Ley from Brush
- 175 – Isaak Chavez from Mullen
- 190 – Ritchie Bruno from Brush – two timer
- 285 – Champion Dyes from Mullen
- 285 – Samuel Stockton from Resurrection Christian
- Unbeaten Wrestlers
- 144- Zach Benson from Gunnison
- 157 – Samuel Johnson from Salida
- 285 – Samuel Stockton from Resurrection Chrisitan
- 126 – two returning state champs in the same bracket
- 285 – two returning state champs in the same bracket
This Class 3A state tournament will come down to depth and bonus points: Alamosa and Eaton look poised to control the team race, while Fort Lupton, Jefferson, La Junta and Mullen each have the individual firepower to flip the leaderboard. Expect early momentum from the lower weights, decisive swings in the 165–285 range, and a handful of breakout performances and consolation runs that decide who lifts the trophy.
MileHigh Prep Report 