Montrose - Daily Press

There is nothing like the Colorado State Wrestling championships. A remarkable event taking place every year featuring some of the best athletes the state has to offer. Stepping onto the mat at the Pepsi Center carries a tremendous weight with it, of past champions that took the step before. The stage alone, the Pepsi Center, is instantly intimidating for athletes, who, accustomed to crowds of a hundred, see well over 10,000 people with all eyes on them.

Then, of course, are those there around you. The best of the best. There are no easy matches when you’ve made it that far. It’s a grueling tournament and with every match, it gets that much tougher. And one loss is the difference between wrestling for a championship or the consolation prize, which comes with an incredible test of stamina and will itself.

And then there is the finality of it all, which carries an extra shot of pressure. This is it, what athletes have worked months for — this is what every early morning run, every late afternoon practice, and every drop of blood and sweat has culminated into.

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For Olathe freshman Zach Shank, it was the beginning of what could be an outstanding four-year wrestling career. It’s a feat to win a championship, but to reach the pinnacle of your sport as a freshman is truly remarkable.

All the area wrestlers who made the big stage this past weekend deserve all the accolades bestowed on them. It is a huge accomplishment just to make it there, let alone place, and our athletes were some of the best. Olathe finished second as a team while our neighbors in Paonia brought home a Class 2A championship. Montrose had two wrestlers place and come close to realizing their dreams.

And we congratulate those who allowed us to share in both their triumph and heartache.

A rich history

15 Colorado has 15 wrestlers that are four-time state champions. Loveland’s Tyler Graff (2008) was the most recent wrestler to accomplish that feat. Nucla’s Mikael Smith joined the elite group in 2005. Montrose has two wrestlers that have also achieved that pinnacle, Bob Thompson (1959) and Dale Stryker (1963).

 

11 Montrose has won 11 team championships, tied with Holly and Wray for most in Colorado history. The Indians most recent team title came in 1991. Montrose has had 58 individual champions in school history.

4  Most consecutive state team titles for Montrose (1959-1962). On Saturday, Ponderosa set a state record with its seventh straight state title, eclipsing a 60-year old mark of six straight.

30 The Pirates have had 30 individual champions in school history. Olathe last won a team championship in 2005.

73  The years Montrose, Olathe and Grand Junction have had wrestling programs — the longest in the state.

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