Pine Creek’s Everest Sutton focused on road to first Colorado state title; area wrestlers shine during opening day
DENVER – Everest Sutton’s stoic demeanor never wavered from the moment he entered the mat at the 2024 State Wrestling Championship to the moment he left.
The two-time state champion connected his green ankle strap, went to work and let his wrestling do the talking.
The Pine Creek senior cruised to a victory by pin at 1:25 in the first period of his 5A 113-pound opening round match against Fountain-Fort Carson’s Dayton Albrecht on Thursday at Ball Arena.
“He’s on a mission,” Pine Creek coach Billy Gabel said. “He’s fundamentally sound and he’s tough.”
Although this is Sutton’s first Colorado state tournament, it’s certainly not the Eagles’ 113-pound wrestler’s first time under the lights.
Sutton previously competed in Oregon at Crescent Valley where he earned 5A titles at 106 pounds as a freshman and 113 pounds as a sophomore.
Following his junior year in Oregon, the Eagles senior landed at Pine Creek where he continues to punish his opponents.
Despite a 25-4 record this season, Sutton has yet to lose in Colorado.
Sutton’s only losses of the season came in Temecula, Calif., during the Temecula Valley Battle for the Belt tournament Jan. 13 and in Kansas City, Mo. at the 2023 KC Stampede on Dec. 16.
To highlight his phenomenal run in Colorado, last week during Pine Creek’s regional tournament at Legend High School, Sutton earned three tech fall victories and first place.
Against Albrecht, Sutton displayed the fire that earned him a pair of championships in Oregon and never let the Trojans sophomore control the match.
Sutton thwarted Albrecht’s lone takedown attempt and put the Trojans’ 113-pounder in a pin he couldn’t escape.
“He trains hard and prepares hard and he’s focused,” Gabel said. “We focus on the details and prepare the kids to be at their highest potential and we let the kids do the rest. He’s done everything we’ve asked for and like the rest of his teammates he’s ready to compete on the big stage.”
Should Sutton win his quarterfinals match, he could meet Pomona freshman Ignacio Villaseñor, who, although he competes at 113, is ranked No. 2 in the nation at 106, per FloWrestling’s rankings.
However, Sutton understands he can’t overlook an opponent and his coach said he’s focused on Central Grand Junction’s JohnPaul Espinoza.
“We’re preparing for the quarterfinals and that’s as far as we’ll look,” Gabel said.
Sutton also had several teammates advance in the tournament after they earned opening round wins.
Griffin Rial (120), Ryder Rhodes (126), Elijah Banks (132), Gavin Weichelt (138), Luke Graver (165) and Isaac Landry (285) each secured spots in the quarters after winning their first matches by pinfall.
Falcon’s returning 4A champ dominates in victory
Javani Majoor needed just two minutes to earn his victory on his quest for a repeat.
Majoor earned a 17-2 tech fall win against Pueblo West’s Camden Simpson and advanced to the quarterfinals where he’ll face Windsor’s Santi Fernandez.
“Javani is an offensive wrestler and he took control from the beginning,” Falcon coach Robert Lovato said. “He looked great out there, but he knows we still have a long way to go.”
Majoor’s win brought his record to 37-0 this season and his overall streak ballooned to 73 consecutive victories.
The Falcon 165-pounder hasn’t lost a match since Dec. 6, 2022, against Ponderosa’s Jacob Bostelman at 157 pounds.
Falcon also had Robert Joseph Meza III (120), David Burchett (157) and Connor Heron (285) advance to the quarterfinals.
“They did exactly what they needed to and that was to wrestle their match and not their opponent’s match,” Lovato said. “They’re wrestling amazing right now and they’re on a mission.”
Cañon City, Mesa Ridge in top-10 team scoring
The Tigers have 17.5 points and are in fifth place after opening round matches and the Grizzlies are sixth with 17 points.
For Cañon City, five of its six competitors advanced to the quarters with Elias Koonce (150), Jesse Riopel (157), Tyler Carochi (165), Jack Doughty (175) and Blaze Fazio (190) all securing spots.
Mesa Ridge had five of its seven wrestlers advance with Damien Reyes (132), Locklen Lemley (144), Elias Timms (190), Isaiah Jones (215) and Chance Mohrenweiser (285) each making the quarterfinals.
Discovery Canyon girls in top 5 after day one
The Thunder have five girls in the quarterfinals and have 18 points for fourth place after the first day of matches.
Returning champion Mia Hargrove earned a 6-0 decision at 115 in the opening round against Prairie View’s Delilah Gallegos.
After finishing first in 2023, Hargrove showed no signs of satisfaction all season and didn’t relent in her opening match. Hargrove’s motivation to repeat grew after she finished second last weekend at regionals.
“My drive is just as strong as ever and I’m ready for that second title,” Hargrove said. “I think my finals match is going to be a fun one to watch.”
Three-time champion eases into quarters
Ciara Monger needs three more wins to earn the rare title of four-time state champ.
The Calhan senior started the tournament with a pinfall at 1:18 in the first period of the heavyweight bracket against Widefield’s Rilen-Ros Casares.
Monger improved to 30-0 with the win and will face Jefferson’s Athalie Mickelson.
Pine Creek’s Everest Sutton fights to score a pin against Fountain-Fort Carson’s Dayton Albrecht during their opening round match Thursday at the state wrestling championship at Ball Arena in Denver.
Falcon High School’s Javani Majoor works to keep Pueblo West’s Camden Simpson’s back on the mat for a pin during their opening round match at the 2024 State Wrestling Championship at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.
Mesa Ridge High School’s Damien Reyes works to keep Riverdale Ridge’s Truland Stearns’ back on the mat during their opening round match at the 2024 State Wrestling Championship at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.
Cheyenne Mountain High School’s Wyatt Boley attempts to grab the foot of Palisade’s Eli Bency during their opening round match at the 2024 State Wrestling Championship at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.
Falcon High School’s David Burchett grabs the left arm of Pueblo West’s Thomas Cruz during their opening round match at the 2024 State Wrestling Championship at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.
PREV
PREVIOUS
Pikes Peak region high school wrestlers head to Denver for state tournament
Wrestlers, clear the mats. That phrase is what 1,120 wrestlers have worked to hear all season. Now, those competitors will compete to bring championships to their respective schools during the State Championships, which begins noon Thursday at Ball Arena in Denver. Friday’s session will start at 8:30 a.m. while Saturday’s championship round will begin at […]
[CSG PRINT] Mesa Ridge escapes with win over Palmer after lead changes, odd delay
Sequels are rarely as thrilling as originals — but Friday’s rematch between Mesa Ridge and Palmer was an exception. Between both teams going on significant runs at different times of the game and one of the strangest delays one will ever see, there weren’t many dull moments. The Grizzlies and Terrors traded punch for punch […]