Last winter, Pueblo County earned the program’s first state title — and the first boys state title in any sport for the Hornets — with a score of 203.5 points, using four individual champions to cruise to first place in Class 4A by a 74.5 point margin.
This winter, however, was an entirely different level of dominance by the Hornets, who secured the team title before any of their eight finalists wrestled on Saturday night in a dominating performance at the Pepsi Center.
Senior Hunter Willits headlined once again, winning the 152 championship 13-0 over Longmont senior Nathan Morris to become the 20th wrestler in state history with four state titles. Twin brother Grant Willits also placed first at 132 for his third career title as the Hornets finished with 225 points to second-place Greeley Central’s 123.5.
“It’s amazing to be part of the ride this program’s been on, and I definitely think we’re the best team in the state, regardless of classification,” Grant Willits said. “We’ve got great coaches who know and trust their wrestlers, and we’ve got guys who aren’t afraid to take on the best opponents under the brightest lights.”
Sophomore Brendon Garcia (22-2 at 106) and Donavon Rincon (30-8 at 195) also earned top podium spots for the Hornets, while junior Josiah Nava (26-8 at 113), sophomore Nathan Bonham (33-7 at 120), senior Justin Davis (27-7 at 138) and junior Dante Garcia (11-2 at 182) finished as runner-up.
In other notable individual performances, Windsor freshman Dominick Serrano (50-0) completed a perfect season at 120 by grinding out a 2-0 win over Pueblo County’s Nathan Bonham. His senior teammate also finished without blemish, as Chris Sandoval (45-0) — who transferred from Pueblo County this year — defeated his former Hornets teammate, senior Justin Davis, 8-5 to earn the 138 title.
At 145, Niwot senior Tommy Stager topped Mesa Ridge junior Elijah Valdez in a 14-4 major decision to capture the Cougars’ first individual title since 1993 and finish his storied career with 176 victories.
And at 182, Glenwood Springs senior Myles Wilson earned a 10-0 major decision over Pueblo County junior Dante Garcia to cap a perfect 51-0 season, which tied Bennett’s Josh Miller for the most victories in a single season. Wilson also holds the career mark for most varsity victories with 189, breaking the mark previously held by Weld Central’s Dalton Robertson at 175.
Cheyenne Mountain (113), Pueblo East (112), Windsor (107.5), Pueblo West (87.5), Discovery Canyon (79.5), Mesa Ridge (75.5), Pine Creek (64.5) and Grand Junction Central (61) rounded out the top ten team scores.
On February 21, 2017 at 9:41 a.m.: This story has been updated to include Myles Wilson as the correct career victories leader.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Pueblo County's Hunter Willits at 152 pounds wins his fourth state title over Longmont's Nathan Morris after his twin brother at 132 pounds Pueblo County's Grant Willits won his third on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
At 132 pounds Pueblo County's Grant Willits works an escape from Mike McFadden of Cheyenne Mountain as he wins his 3rd state championship at Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Isaiah DeLaCerda, Alamosa, celebrates his victory over opponent A.J. Serna, Grand Valley, to win the 3A 113lb championship match at the 2017 Colorado state high school wrestling championships at Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Malik Heinselman, left, Castle View High School, wrestles Dawson Collins, Grand Junction for the 5A 106lb championship match at the 2017 Colorado state high school wrestling championships at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Poudre's Jacob Greenwood fends off Coronado's KJ Kearns in their Class 5A 138-pound title match at the Colorado wrestling championships at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Cohl Schultz, Ponderosa, left, and Max Gonzales, Cherokee Trail, battle during their 5A 220lb championship match at the 2017 Colorado state high school wrestling championships at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Mike Duran lifts his son Jacob Duran, Ft. Lupton High School, in celebration after Jacob defeated Elijah DeLaCerda, Alamosa to win the 3A 106lb championship match at the 2017 Colorado state high school wrestling championships at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Meeker 132 pound wrestler Garrett Frantz supporting his team at the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Lamar 195 pound wrestler Bart Gruenloe trading his cowboy boots for wrestling shoes at the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Meeker fans celebrate a win for their 106 pound wrestler Jacob Pelloni at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Natasha Velasquez of Mancos cheering for her son Richard Martinez in his 120 pound match at Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center. on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Ashley Benem (center) cheering for Rocky Ford's 138 pound Carlos Romo's win at Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
After a battle on the floor 132 pound Thompson Vally wrestler Zach Kennison works to contain his emotions as he leaves the mat after a loss on the last day of the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Meeker High School cheerleaders blowing away the competition at the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Meeker High School cheerleaders blowing away the competition at the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
10 mats busy during the last day of the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Enriquez Romero of Rocky Ford, won by decision over Caleb Bradford of Meeker 5-0 at the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Greeley Central 170 pound wrestler Andrue Rojas and assistant coach Adam Alirez hug their teammate, 132 pounder Zeke Alirez after winning his third place match by fall at the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
At 106 pounds in 2A, Rocky Ford's Jacob Rodriguez pins Chris McKenna of John Mall at the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
4A wrestler Josh Nira of Greeley Central pressuring Pueblo County's Josiah Nava on his way to winning the title at the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Jonathan Andreatta from John Mall kept the pressure on Cody Jacobsen from Burlington before winning by fall for his third state title at the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Jonathan Andreatta from John Mall jumps into the arms of best friend Zane Barber after winning over Cody Jacobsen from Burlington by fall for his third state title at the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
At 132 pounds Pueblo County's Grant Willits takes Mike McFadden of Cheyenne Mountain to the mat as he wins his third state championship at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
At 132 pounds Pueblo County's Grant Willits gives the three sign for his third state championship after winning against Mike McFadden of Cheyenne Mountain at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Wrestlers line up for the National Anthem during the parade of champions for the 2017 Colorado state high school Wrestling championships at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Rick Willits is carried by his son Hunter Willits at 152 pounds after he wins his fourth state title at the Colorado high school state wrestling tournament at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
Three-time state title holder Grant Willits of Pueblo County hugs his twin brother Hunter Willits at 152 pounds after he wins his fourth title on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Jacob Duran, Ft. Lupton High School, left, upends opponent Elijah DeLaCerda, Alamosa during the 3A 106lb championship match at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Cody Fatzinger, Arvada West, celebrates his victory over Job Greenwood, Poudre, to win the 5A 126lb championship match at the 2017 Colorado state high school wrestling championships at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Oscar Lopez, Jefferson High School, celebrates with his coaches Oscar Fonseca, left, and James Vogel after defeating Evan Hoff of Grand Valley for the 3A 220lb championship at the Pepsi Center on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
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Pueblo County's Hunter Willits at 152 pounds wins his fourth state title over Longmont's Nathan Morris after his twin brother at 132 pounds Pueblo County's Grant Willits won his third on Feb. 18, 2017 in Denver.
