DENVER Two opponents dreaming of gold. Two minutes remaining in that quest and the score knotted at two.
Only one would realize the dream, the other would see that dream shattered.
Dove Creeks Cole Baughmans final two minutes of the wrestling season were not his best.
The 7-2 loss in the Class 2A 120-pound division at the State Wrestling Championships, left Baughman distraught with disappointment. Adam Baca of Rocky Ford took control in the third period, scoring five points to take the gold.
For two periods, the match was tighter than a handshake.
The quest is always to get a leg up on your opponent. Baughman did just that in the first period. But it didnt turn out well.
Circling Baca, Baughman was patient, then he attacked and snagged a leg early in the match.
Baca tried to hop out of bounds, but Baughman yanked him back onto the mat. Then he attacked. But in a snap, Baca reversed the advantage and dropped Baughman to the mat for a takedown.
Baca (39-2) hunkered down and made Baughman go on the offensive.
The Dove Creek junior ducked out of a hold for a gorgeous reversal to tie the score at 2-2, then he controlled Baca for the rest of the second period.
Late in the second, Baughman clamped down with a headlock, rolling Baca onto his side, but the Rocky Ford wrestler again squirmed away.
It was one of several close, but not-quite moves, that cost Baughman dearly. If he could have finished that first shot, it would have been a little different match, coach Shane Baughman said about when Cole grabbed the leg. When youre trying to play catch up, you have to put yourself in some danger.
Cole didnt have to play catch-up until the third.
On two occasions, Baughman appeared to have an advantage and in position to score points, only to see the nifty sophomore scramble out of trouble and score points himself.
A disappointed Cole gave credit to his opponent.
I couldnt finish a couple of things and that ended up being the outcome of the match. Hes a good wrestler, he said.
With the score tied going into the third, Cole was frustrated that he couldnt finish better. The state title was there for the taking.
I think I wrestled average for me. I always think I can do better, he said.
The coach, who is also Coles dad, pointed to those two or three situations that could have turned the match in Coles favor.
(Cole) got out of position a couple of times and there were a couple of those little scrambles that he lost. He was trying to force it a little and the kid was able to scramble out of it, Shane Baughman said. Good wrestlers will do that.
Shane hugged his son and congratulated him after the match.
I just told him Im proud of him. He had a good year, he just didnt wrestle his best match, he said.
Clutching his silver medal, Cole briefly chatted with Baca after the award ceremony.
I just told him congratulations and that hes a good wrestler, he said.
Theres a chance the two could meet again at next years state tournament. Cole said he will work harder to try and make it to the top spot on the podium.
I did better than last year but I never want to settle for second best, Cole said.
Cole Baughman ends his season with a 41-6 record.
