Daves, Gustafson win 4A titles
Journal Staff Report
Two regional champions are sweet, but threes a charm at state for Montezuma-Cortez High School.
Junior grapplers Ryan Daves and Trenton Gustafson pinned their ways to region wrestling titles at the 4A regional last Saturday in Gypsum at Eagle Valley High School.
Freshman Seager Oliver battled back from an early loss to place fourth at 152 pounds, qualifying for state in Denver on Thursday.
Daves (37-5) did what hes done all year, striking fast and delivering the knockout tap at 126 pounds. He pinned his first three opponents and won a 10-1 major decision over Mike Mills of Glenwood Springs in the title match. This will be the third-consecutive state tournament appearance for Daves, who has placed fourth in his two previous trips.
Gustafson (34-6) simply dominated the 182 pound division and heads back to the Pepsi Center after pinning palisades and Zach Judis in the finals.
Oliver (33-13) won a junior high state championship a year ago for Cortez Middle School. Now hell have a shot at a high school title in his first season at M-CHS. The Panthers freshman had to battled his way through the consolation bracket claiming the required top four spot for state.
Levi Gross (26-19) came up just shy of his first state tourney. He went 3-3 on the day to take sixth at 113 pounds.
The Colorado High School Activities Association State Wrestling Championships begin on Thursday at the Pepsi Center in Denver and continues through Saturday night.