They have evolved into the class of Class 4A, and yet Broomfield wrestling coach Joe Pereira holds a belief that might send shivers of apprehension rippling across the state.
After winning two consecutive Class 4A team championships, Pereira expects his Eagles to be better than ever this season.
“I like my team this year. We have better across-the-board strength,” Pereira said. “We may have eight or nine guys who could place at state, where last year we only had four or five. I still have four or five guys that could reach the finals. I definitely feel we have a good enough stable to make another run.
“I don’t think there is one standout team to beat. Everyone is in a similar situation where they have one or two guys that stand out and then there is maybe a drop-off. Our strength is that we have four or five guys that could be in the finals and a couple of others coming on strong behind them.”
Leading Broomfield’s charge toward a third consecutive crown will be senior Courtland Hacker, the defending 119-pound state champion, and junior Nick Babcock, who finished second at state in the 130-pound division. The Eagles also will boast a strong, experienced roster of upperclassmen who will be supported by the addition of two high-profile freshmen — 103-pounder Dylan Alvarez and 125-pounder Bill Downing.
Class 4A top five
1. Broomfield
2. Montrose
3. Roosevelt
4. Windsor
5. Palisade
Class 4A returning state champs and placers
Champions
112 — Timothy Urenda, Pueblo South, Sr. (41-3)
119 — Courtland Hacker, Broomfield, Sr. (39-4)
130 — Nick Swanson, Wheat Ridge, Jr. (36-2);
Nick Adams, Discovery Canyon, Sr. (44-0)*
140 — Travis Himmelman, Conifer, Sr. (45-0)
145 — Nathaniel Garcia, Windsor, Sr. (27-0)
Second place
103 — A.J. Rees, Discovery Canyon, So. (37-3)*
112 — Darin Sisneros, Alamosa, Sr. (32-9)
119 — Daniel Salazar, Palisade, Jr. (40-5)
130 — Nick Babcock, Broomfield, Jr. (36-6)
145 — Brandon Hoffman, Fort Morgan, Jr. (37-7)
171 — Bryce Gaber, Montrose, Sr. (40-4)
189 — Dwight Howes, Arvada, Jr. (43-2)
Third place
103 — Jayce Lopez, Roosevelt, So. (35-5)
112 — Geordan Hudson, Montrose, Jr. (43-5)
125 — C.J. York, Roosevelt, Sr. (37-5)
145 — Charlie Griffiths, Moffat Co., Sr. (42-7)
160 — Braydon Zink, Sterling, Sr. (35-4)
171 — Phillip Rhodes, Mesa Ridge, Sr. (38-6)
Hwt. — Jack Kuck, Windsor, Jr. (31-9)
Fourth place
103 — Ryan Daves, Mont.-Cortez, So. (27-15)
119 — Tanner Taylor, Thompson Vy., Sr. (36-11)
125 — Clayton Garza, Elizabeth, Sr. (20-5)
135 — Aaron Shaffer, Longmont, Sr. (35-12)
140 — Dakoda Curtis, Alamosa, Jr. (34-9);
Clay Bunker, Erie, Jr. (39-6)*
145 — Kyle McNally, Thompson Vy., Sr. (22-19)
152 — Marcos Peralta, Arvada, Jr. (42-7)
160 — Alex Graham, Skyline, Sr. (41-4)
Hwt. — Patrick Smith, Pueblo East, Sr. (33-11)
Fifth place
103 — Mykai DeHerrera, Delta, Sr. (35-6)
112 — Mike Ashton, Frederick, Sr. (37-9)
125 — Michael Walsh, Alamosa, Sr. (39-9)
130 — Presley Papachek, Roosevelt, Sr. (37-10)
135 — Alex Sadlo, Berthoud, Sr. (33-6)
160 — Connor King, Broomfield, Jr. (38-9)
189 — Casey Couch, Berthoud, Sr. (28-3).
215 — Michael Miller, Pueblo Central, Jr. (25-8)
Sixth place
112 — Justin Ray, Palisade, So. (31-14);
Steve Turner, Discovery Canyon, So.
(33-11)*
119 — Kordell Bradshaw, Montrose, Jr. (36-11)
125 — Rudy Fantin, Delta, Sr. (32-11)
130 — Robby Workman, Berthoud, Sr. (45-5)
140 — Austin Harris, Windsor, Sr. (34-11)
171 — Michael Ellsworth, Discovery Canyon, Sr.
(30-14)*
189 — Justin Burns-LaBorde, Pueblo West, Sr.
(25-8)
215 — J.T. Pickett, Berthoud, Sr. (33-15)
* – moved up one classification
** – moved up two classifications
