Running down the ranks
Locals gearing up for regionals in just two weeks
Only two weeks remain until grapplers all over Colorado will get the chance to compete for a bid to the state tournament at Ball Arena. Those regionals promise to deliver some favorable results for wrestlers inside and around Boulder County.
Six local boys sit atop their respective weight classes, going as high up as the Class 5A heavyweight division, which Centaurus’ Xavier Valentin-bradford dominates with a 24-3 record.
Out of the handful of local girls teams, 13 ladies broke into Tim Yount’s On the Mat rankings last week. Five hail from Mead, led by Lyons junior student-athlete Ashley Booth (26-3 record) at 155 pounds. Legacy, likewise, has thrown five of its girls into the mix, with senior Ari Hen (245) ranking the highest at No. 5 in the 135-lb. weight class. Broomfield has seen three notable nods behind freshman Shayla Martinez (29-9), who sits at No. 4 at 170s.
Mead’s star-filled squad leads the way on the boys’ side with an overall team ranking of No. 2 in 4A and eight individual ranks. Otto Black sits atop the 144-pound field, boasting a perfect 28-0 record. Leister Bowling (33-1) has achieved the same position at 175s as Jake Glade (157s, 32-5) and Dalton Berg (190s, 172) have rounded out the top of the Mavericks’ roster at their respective No. 3 spots.
While Mead is the only local boys team to crack into the collective rankings, there are plenty of other top-tier individuals that hail from the region. Lyons’ 157-pounder, Jaden Gardner, sits alone atop his weight class in 2A with a 24-2 record.
Holy Family holds six spots in 3A, led by No. 2 Brayden Bach (144, 18-3) and No. 1 Abram Moore (215, 17-2). Broomfield has matched that feat of six rankings in 4A behind the mat stylings of heavyweight Mars Soto (37-6) and 120-pounder Cody Tanner (36-4).
Erie’s Carson Hageman (No. 3, 165s) leads a contingent of five recognized Tigers thanks to his dominant 21-2 record. Hunter Knight serves as the lone representative for Longmont, but he’s worked his way all the way up to No. 4 at 4A 215s with a 30-3 record.
Monarch boasts four in the rankings, with three all hitting 5A No. 7 in their respective weight classes. Legacy has slightly outpaced the Coyotes with five, paced by No. 1 Quinn Funk (215), who ended his run at Top of the Rockies last weekend with a spotless 31-0 record.
Sam Benton (14-0) represented Fairview from the No. 4 spot at 215s as Skyline and Frederick each saw two grapplers crack into the notables and Boulder’s Abe Pomeroy joined the list at No. 7 at144s.