The event: Colorado’s 72nd wrestling tournament.
The site: Pepsi Center, the only sanctioned prep event there annually.
The field: 896 wrestlers from four classifications, Classes 5A-2A.
BY THE NUMBERS
Of 227 schools that offer the sport, 206 will be represented.
More than 40,000 fans may attend over the three days of the tournament.
Barring injury, sickness or disqualification, there will be a possible 1,568 matches.
OUTLOOK
Class 5A
Returning state champions: Zeke Hofer, Ponderosa, 119 pounds (won 103 in 2006); Tyler Graff, Loveland, 130 (won 119 in 2006 and 103 in 2005); Willie McClure, Pomona, 189 (won 171 in 2006); Marcus Felker, Thornton, heavyweight (won heavyweight in 2006).
Undefeated: Graff (43-0); Casey Cruz, Wasson, 135 (36-0); Felker (30-0).
Most qualifiers: Legacy 13, Ponderosa 11.
Defending team champion: Ponderosa, which has won the past four titles.
Returning state placers: 29, including Jesse Snider, Ponderosa, 145 (third at 140 in 2006, second at 130 in 2005 and third at 119 in 2004).
Back points: There are only eight 5A Denver Prep League qualifiers, and just three city schools will be represented.
Class 4A
Returning state champions: Dale Schull, Fort Lupton, 112 pounds (won 103 in 2006); Saul Guerrero, Fort Lupton, 130 (won 119 in 2006); Cody Yohn, Alamosa, 160 (won 152 in 2006); Sonny Yohn, Alamosa, 189 (won 189 in 2006 and 171 in 2005); David Marone, Broomfield, 215 (won 215 in 2006).
Undefeated: Nick Navaratil, Moffat County, 189 (40-0).
Most qualifiers: Pueblo West 12, Alamosa 11, Northridge 10.
Defending team champion: Alamosa, which has won six titles since 1988.
Returning state placers: 31, including Cory Casady, Broomfield, 140 (second at 119 in 2006 and third at 103 in 2005); and Johnny Ortega, Thompson Valley, 171 (second at 160 in 2006 and third at 145 in 2005).
Back points: Northridge returns two underclassmen who were third a year ago – Justin Gonzales at 135 and Easton Ramirez at 145.
Class 3A
Returning state champions: Ross Leyba, La Junta, 112 pounds (won 103 in 2005); Bryson Gray, Olathe, 119 (won 112 in 2006); Ethan Martinez, St. Mary’s, 125 (won 119 in 2006); Lance Gallegos, Arrupe Jesuit, 140 (won 135 in 2006 in 2A).
Undefeated: Angelo Ramirez, Yuma, 103 (14-0); Mitchell Polkowske, Centauri, 135 (43-0); Rafael Munoz, Brush, 145 (14-0).
Most qualifiers: Florence 13, Olathe 13, Brush 12, Lamar 12, Roosevelt 12.
Defending team champion: Monte Vista, which has three titles since 1997, the only championships in school history.
Returning state placers: 32, including P.J. Gallegos, Roosevelt, 130 (second at 125 in 2006, third at 119 in 2005 and fifth at 112 in 2004; was at Highland his first two seasons).
Back points: Monte Vista is down three champions from last season, but returns three placers. Roosevelt, which entered the season with 11 lettermen, has seven revisiting the Pepsi Center.
Class 2A
Returning state champions: Grant Hobbs, Dove Creek, 112 pounds (won 103 in 2006); Daniel Espinoza, Antonito (won 112 in 2006); Kevin LeValley, Limon, 145 (won 140 in 2006, 130 in 2005 and 119 in 2004); Ross Brunkhardt, Merino, 152 (won 152 in 2005 and 135 in 2004, second at 152 in 2006); Joe LeBlanc, Meeker, 160 (won 152 in 2006 and 145 in 2005); Matt Stiasny, Dove Creek, 171 (won 160 in 2006); Brian Hendricks, Burlington, 215 (won 215 in 2006, 3A); Tucker Lane, Nucla, heavyweight (won 215 in 2006 and 171 in 2004; second at 189 in 2005).
Undefeated: Justin Iacovetto, Soroco, 103 (25-0); Hobbs (33-0); Colten Husky, Dove Creek, 135 (33-0); LeBlanc (28-0); Hendricks (21-0); Lane (33-0).
Most qualifiers: Rocky Ford 13, Center 10, Dolores Huerta nine.
Defending team champion: Paonia.
Returning state placers: 30, including Brunkhardt, who lost the 152 final in 2006 to LeBlanc (now at 160); and Mikey Swigert, Dolores, 152 (third at 145 in 2006 and second at 140 in 2005), who is on the opposite side of the bracket from Brunkhardt.
Back points: Lane, trying to become one of the few schoolboys to reach four finals, is 145-4 in his career. Dove Creek has six other qualifiers in addition to its two returning champions.
