T.J. Shelton of Meeker (top) has a chance to become Colorado’s 19th four-time wrestling champion this weekend. (Kai Casey/CHSAANow.com)
One year ago, Meeker’s T.J. Shelton had the opportunity to witness the whirlwind weekend belonging to Jesse Reed.
Reed had the spotlight shining bright upon him last February at the state wrestling tournament in Denver. The Paonia senior became the 18th individual to capture four state championships, and moments after winning, received a standing ovation while accepting his medal.
Not long after, Shelton further cemented his own bid to join the four-timers club by capturing his third consecutive crown on the very same mat. Now, headed into this weekend’s state tournament at Pepsi Center in Denver, Shelton is just four victories away from joining Reed and 17 others in cementing his name into the record books.
“I’m sure its been in the back of his mind, probably since he won it as a freshman,” Meeker coach JC Watt said. “I think anytime anyone wins state as a freshman the four-time talk certainly creeps into your head.”
Shelton brings a 38-1 record into the Class 2A 170-pound bracket. The tournament gets underway Thursday afternoon with 3A and 2A running first-round matches at 3 p.m., followed by the 5A and 4A classes at 7:15 p.m.
Quarterfinals are Friday morning, with the semifinals running at 7:15 that night. The Parade of Champions, which precedes the championship finals, is at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The previous two state tournaments have each seen a wrestler claim a fourth title. Broomfield’s Phil Downing accomplished the feat in 2014, and Reed did the same a year ago.
Since 2003, 10 wrestlers have joined the four-timers club. In 2004 and 2005, a pair of four-time champions were crowned.
That said, winning four in a row is a hurdle most do not get the chance to clear. After all, it says something that only 18 individuals have wrestled their way to the top since Montrose’s Bob Thompson first did it from 1956-59.
“There’s just so many things – injuries, grades, all kinds of stuff has to be taken into account,” Watt said. “Winning one of them is hard. Winning four of them is a monumental task.”
Meeker brings 10 state qualifiers to Denver this weekend. The Cowboys finished second to Rocky Ford a year ago by just three points.
Watt said the squad isn’t going to be consumed by how many points are accumulated during the tournament.
“We kind of look at it a little different. Each kid does their best,” Watt said. “We don’t put a lot of pressure on the kids over the team title. We just ask each kid to go out and do their best and the team score takes care of itself.”
Rocky Ford leads 2A with 12 state qualifiers headed into Pepsi Center. Hotchkiss brings 11, followed by Centauri and Meeker with 10 each. John Mall junior Jonathan Andreatta (120 pounds) and Paonia senior Bo Pipher (145) are each seeking a third state title.
Class 5A
After finishing as the runner-up in each of the previous two state tournaments, Pomona is in a good position to come away with its first crown since 2013. The Panthers lead all 5A programs with 12 state qualifiers, followed by Adams City with 10.
Pomona has a pair of returning state champions in Tomas Gutierrez (120) and Dayton Marvel (132). Gutierrez will be pursuing a third state championship.
Class 4A
Maybe the most intriguing classification comes in 4A, where four individuals have the opportunity to claim a third state title in a row.
Discovery Canyon’s Sam Turner (138), Pueblo County’s Hunter Willitts (152), Thompson Valley’s Parker Simington (160) and Fort Morgan’s Toby McBride (285) each have two titles under their belts. Willitts is the only junior in the group.
Five wrestlers are undefeated on the season, and seven schools have at least 11 state qualifiers. Defending champion Thompson Valley qualified nine and has two returning champions; 2015 runner-up Pueblo County is bringing 12 and has four state champions in the lineup.
Greeley Central and Pueblo West qualified 13 individuals each.
Additionally, Mountain View sophomore Kaley Barker is set to become the seventh girl to compete at the state wrestling tournament. She’ll compete in the 106-pound bracket.
Class 3A
Two-time defending champion Valley taking will be taking 12 individuals to the tournament. One of those representing the Vikings though is senior Macoy Flanagan (170), who brings a 47-0 mark into the tournament. With four victories, he would tie the state record held by Bennett’s Josh Miller for the most wins in a season at 51.
Berthoud’s Jimmy Fate (160) and Weld Central’s Dalton Robertson (182) are each chasing a third state title. Berthoud qualified 13 individuals, including defending champions Fate and Chad Ellis (195). Eaton and Platte Valley each qualified 11 and Lamar will bring 10.