The journey was tumultuous and challenging. For Fort Lupton’s Jody Sandoval II, it made victory that much sweeter.
On Saturday, Sandoval (120 pounds) defeated Sterling’s Colby Duncan with a nail-biting 6-5 decision for his second-consecutive state championship.
Once the clock hit zero and his victory was secured, Sandoval leapt on his coach, Tommy Galacia, and his father, Jody Sandoval.
“It was way harder than the first time,” the younger Sandoval said with a wide smile that refused to leave his face. “Everybody is gunning for you. Everybody knows who you are.”
His opponent was very familiar as well. Saturday’s meeting with Duncan marked their third in a year. Sandoval won 4-3 at the regional tournament in Eaton a week ago. He notched a victory by the same score over Duncan in the 2015 state championships at 113 pounds.
“To beat him again is a feeling you won’t forget,” his father said. “It’s indescribable. The first time was good, but the second time and facing the same kid was twice as nice.”
Sandoval had a different battle to win state the second time. He tore a meniscus in June. He had surgery to suture it. He had to mix training workouts with rehab sessions. His knee locked up a couple times during the season, but he kept pushing to get his knee back in shape.
Like the majority of Sandoval’s matches, Saturday’s contest was an “emotional roller coaster” for his father, who at the end of the second period was worried. The battle went back and forth. The younger Sandoval recognized his father’s concern immediately.
“He just kind of gave me that look like ‘I’m under control, Dad. I know what I’m doing,’ ” the elder Sandoval said.
Before the match, Galacia told the younger Sandoval to wrestle like it was the last time he’d do it. The result was Fort Lupton’s 49th individual championship, eighth among Colorado schools. Now, Sandoval is already looking toward joining an even more prestigious group next year: three-time state champions.
Berthoud’s Jimmy Fate (160 pounds) and Weld Central’s Dalton Robertson (182 pounds) each became three-time state champions.
Alamosa junior Isaiah DeLaCerda (38-5) became a two-time state champion with a 3-0 decision over Dolores Huerta freshman Ryan Roth (38-3). Berthoud’s Chad Ellis (195 pounds) became a two-time champion.
Cameron Wolfe: 303-954-1891, cwolfe@denverpost.com or @CameronWolfe
