Each weight-class winner was presented with a commemorative red-and-green flip disc similar to the ones used during the match that indicate a competitor’s choice for the top or bottom position.
They are designed and made by Chuck Walters, a former coach at Durango and Jefferson.
Each flip disc is inscribed with “Colorado State Champion” and the year.
Walters, who has been making the flip discs for 10 years and feels good about giving kids keepsakes, said the only thing better would be “if they actually were used during the matches.”
Rockies flashback.
The Parade of Champions was delayed by, what else, a ticket malfunction. People were forced to wait outside a little longer and the start was pushed back 10 minutes to allow many of those in the upper bowl of the Pepsi Center to get to their seats.
Attendance over 43,000.
Attendance for the three-day tournament at the Pepsi Center, the 73rd on record, was 43,197.
For Saturday’s sessions, attendance was a record 18,569.
Huskey effort.
Last year, Dove Creek took home the 2A team championship, outscoring Rocky Ford 141-135. In 2008, the school managed just one finalist after qualifying four wrestlers for state.
But Colton Huskey didn’t disappoint.
The junior jumped out to an early lead en route to a 7-2 decision over Rangely sophomore Travis Witherell. The title is the seventh individual championship for the school, and fourth since 2006.
Garcia on roll.
With his 4-0 victory over Rangely’s Devon Rose (37-3), David Garcia (39-2) of Rocky Ford won the school’s 52nd individual state title, the second-most in 2A history.
Neil H. Devlin, Jon E. Yunt and Michael Hicks
