Iver C. Ranum was famous for simply saying: “Everything is going to be just fine.”
So when the news of the consolidation of Ranum and Westminster high schools came last fall, it’s no shock that Mr. Ranum’s daughter, Cheryl Osborn, echoed those words.
“We just need to have more faith in our kids, that everything is going to be OK,” Osborn said.
It should come as no shock then, that with the impending end of Ranum High School, that coach Adrian Green’s wrestling team has reached heights not seen at the school since 1994. Five wrestlers, clad in green and gold, will make the trip to the Pepsi Center for the last time starting today to represent the 47-year old Raiders program.
“It gave me that extra push, wanting to excel and prove that the Raiders can make a stand,” said senior Tony McKain, who will step foot in the Pepsi Center for the first time today.
The Fab Five — so dubbed by Ranum athletic director Karen Price — are Eric Aguilar, Gabe Guerrero, Joaquin Marquez, McKain and regional heavyweight champion Moises Alcala. They sported T-shirts last weekend at Cherokee Trail that read “The Raiders’ Last Ride.”
Alcala is the Raiders’ best chance at becoming the school’s first state wrestling champion since Ty Armour won the 98-pound title in 1984.
It’s an honor the 6-foot-2, 285 pound Alcala has given a lot of thought.
“I’ve thought about that before and what it would be like, but I’ve changed my vision on that,” said Alcala, who beat Michael Hawkins of Thomas Jefferson, 5-4, in the regional final. “I’m just the last one representing our school.”
Hawkins, who finished fourth last season, is just one of many names in the heavyweight bracket that figures to vie for the title. Fort Morgan’s Kyle Graulus, who finished second in 2007, and Alcala (28-3) could meet in the quarterfinals if both win opening-round matches. Hawkins and defending champion Tim Saucedo of Northridge are both on the bottom half of the bracket.
“(Alcala) was one away (from placing) last year, and he’s worked really hard, gotten really strong in the weight room and we’re excited about the potential,” said Green, who made it to state with George Washington in 1991. “Hopefully we can put an exclamation point on it.”
Green came to Ranum four years ago and has slowly built the Raiders, who won their only team title in 1976, back to respectability.
“I’ve had relatives graduate from here, my wife graduated from here and my son wrestles for the youth program,” said Green, who, like all coaches at Ranum and Westminster, will have to reapply for his coaching job next fall. “We live in the community, and this place has been special to me the last four years.”
Osborn has not followed the Ranum sports programs like she once did, but was quick to point out that if the time came on Saturday for a Ranum wrestler to take his place in the Parade of Champions, she would be there.
“I’d probably be there with tears in my eyes,” said Osborn. “To me, when you have a last thing, it’s always very emotional. ”
No matter what happens, everything is going to be just fine.
Numbers
9 State championships won by Ranum High School. The most recent was girls basketball in 2003.
1976 Year the Raiders won their only wrestling championship.
98 Pounds the last state champ, Ty Armour, weighed (1984).
1994 Last time the Raiders qualified five wrestlers for the state meet.
0 Times Tony McKain, Ranum’s 145-pound senior qualifier, has been to the Pepsi Center.
Jon E. Yunt: 303-954-1354 or jyunt@denverpost.com
