ARVADA — With the state tournament one month away, Pomona wrestling coach Pat DeCamillis made sure his athletes were aware their performance at the Arvada West Invitational was merely a measuring stick. Nothing more, nothing less.
Still, it seems the Panthers will measure up just fine against the top competition in the state.
Coronado is expected to enter the state tournament as the favorite in Class 5A, yet on Saturday, Pomona served notice that it will be in the mix for the state championship as well, winning individual titles in four events to edge Coronado for the top spot in the team standings.
The Panthers finished with 203 points. Coronado, which won titles in five weight divisions, finished in second place with 184 points. Pine Creek, eight- time defending state champion Ponderosa and Legacy rounded out the top five.
“That’s all it is — a measuring stick of where we’re at, and we have a long way to go before the state tournament,” DeCamillis said. “I feel very good about the way the kids performed. We had a good week of preparation, and they came out and showed us what they have.”
The Panthers opened the finals with a win by freshman Josh Rosales in the 103-pound division and also received victories from junior Isaiah Rosales (135 pounds), sophomore Archie Colgan (140) and senior Justin Frazer (152). Frazer defeated Zach Short of Grand Junction Central in the final for the third time in a week, having beaten Short twice at the Denver East Invitational last week after losing to the Warriors’ senior in the 152-pound third-place bout at state last year.
“I’ve learned to never give up, and that is the key,” Frazer said. “You’ve got to study your opponent. Know what he does and adapt to it and practice. You study your mistakes and make sure they do not happen again.
“This win shows you can’t overlook the underdog. Coronado is No. 1 and we are No. 2, but I’d much rather be second on the radar than having everyone chasing us.”
