Area wrestlers capture multiple titles, runner-up finishes at CHSAA state championships
Wray, Brush and Sedgwick County/Fleming bring home gold, with Akron, Yuma and others adding silver and bronze.
By News Channel Nebraska
DENVER — Area wrestlers claimed three individual state titles and several runner-up finishes Saturday at the Colorado High School Activities Association State Wrestling Championships at Ball Arena.
Wray’s Austin Collins delivered one of the most dominant performances of the tournament, winning the Class 2A 150-pound championship. Collins (47-1) recorded four consecutive pins, including a first-period fall in the championship match over Elijah Martin of Dayspring Christian Academy in 1:00.
Brush’s Ritchie Bruno captured the Class 3A title at 190 pounds. Bruno (49-2) advanced with a fall, a major decision and a technical fall before securing a 7-2 decision over Estevan Loya of Mullen in the finals.
Sedgwick County/Fleming’s Cooper Edson earned the Class 2A 120-pound crown. Edson (45-4) opened with a major decision and a fall, then added an 8-5 semifinal decision before edging Cash Martinez of Cedaredge 9-8 in the championship bout.
Several area wrestlers finished as state runners-up. Akron’s Kaleb Grauer (55-13) placed second at 144 pounds in Class 2A, advancing with a fall and two decisions before falling by technical fall to Tyler Varra of Highland in the finals.
Brush’s Austin Ley (53-4) claimed runner-up honors at 165 pounds in Class 3A. Ley reached the championship match with a fall, a decision and a major decision before dropping a 2-1 decision to Paxton Pettinger of Eaton.
Yuma’s Daden Beauprez (34-5) finished second at 190 pounds in Class 2A. Beauprez recorded three consecutive pins to reach the finals before falling to Wyatt Chase of Highland.
On the girls side, Sedgwick County/Fleming’s Brooklyn Glende (41-3) earned runner-up honors at 130 pounds in Class 4A. Glende reached the championship with three straight wins, including two falls, before dropping an 8-1 decision to Eila Schultz of Severance.
Additional medalists included Annie Wilson of Sedgwick County/Fleming, who placed third at 140 pounds in Class 4A, and Yuma’s Geseliya Sanchez, who placed third at 190 pounds in Class 4A. Wray’s Ben Riggleman finished third at 190 pounds in Class 2A.
Several other area wrestlers earned podium finishes, including Nathan Gonzales of Sedgwick County/Fleming (fourth at 113), Mael Zannou of Fort Morgan (fourth at 285 in Class 3A), Jax Kusel of Akron (fifth at 138), Brody Richards of Wray (fifth at 175), and multiple sixth-place finishers from Fort Morgan, Merino and Wray.