Wrestlers weigh-in prior to the start of the state tournament on Friday. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
DENVER — Last year’s Class 3A state wrestling tournament is in the past for Dolores Huerta senior Jared Mestas.
“It’s just a totally a new year. Leave it in the past. What happened, happened,” Mestas said after a second-period pin of The Classical Academy junior Charles Baker in the opening round Thursday at Pepsi Center in the 132-pound bracket. “I’ve got to focus on what I need to do the next few days.”
What happened last state tournament is something Mestas has clearly learned from and now has in the rear-view mirror.
“I’ve been training and working hard for this moment,” Mestas said. “Working hard on my grades too. You can’t wrestle without grades. You can’t go to college without grades.”
After claiming the 3A 126-pound state title as a sophomore in 2012, Mestas came to Pepsi Center last year as the top seed at 138. However, an unexpected loss in the quarterfinals to Hotchkiss senior Jesse Head ended his dream of becoming a two-time state champion. Mestas had to settle for fourth place in 2013.
Mestas has changed his approach this season after failing to repeat. He has friends film every match he wrestles and go over them frame-by-frame to learn from his mistakes. Having a good mental preparation is a key for Mestas to win his second state title in his final shot.
“I’ve got to keep my mind focused on what I need to do,” Mestas said.
There are seven wrestlers in 3A who are attempting to stake claim to a second state title. All had no problem getting through to the quarterfinals that begin 10 a.m. Friday morning.
One of those looking to return to the top of the podium is Centauri senior Jason Buhr. The four-time state qualifier has run the entire scale of emotions during his previous three state appearances.
Buhr placed sixth as a freshman at 135. Had to settle for runner-up at 145 as a sophomore before joining the ranks as a state champion last year winning at 152 in 3A.
“A little more pressure,” Buhr said of being a defending state champion. “I just want to repeat for sure.”
Buhr enters his final trip to state as top seed at 152. He scored a 17-2 technical fall over Faith Christian senior Clark Kelly in his opening match Thursday.
Buhr’s teammate, senior Jereb Aziz, is one of only two undefeated 3A wrestlers entering the state tournament. Aziz improved his unblemished record to 45-0 with a pin in 59 seconds against The Classical Academy sophomore Will Campos in the opening round at 195.
“I just push myself. I really don’t care what record I have,” said Aziz, who won the 182 title last year. “It’s 0-0 now. I just go hard as soon as I step on the mat.”
Olathe senior Trenton Piatt (32-0 record) is the other undefeated 3A wrestler. Piatt pinned his first-round opponent in 33 seconds.
In the team race, the goal is to see who can dethrone three-time defending state champion Alamosa. After the opening round Lamar (29 points), Valley (27 points) and Centauri (26.5) put themselves in good position.
Valley senior Jackson Wright comes in as the top seed at 170 with a bit of a chip on his shoulder. Wright lost in the semifinals at 152 before taking third.
“It’s been a long time,” Wright said of waiting for state. “This tournament for me, besides being my last, is pretty much to avenge that loss.”
Wright, along with teammates Ruben Lucero (126), Omar Sotelo (138), Macoy Flanagan (145), Zac Miller (152) and Brendan Gonzales (160) spearheads a strong Valley Vikings contingent that is favored to win the 3A team title.
“It’s been in the back of our heads,” Wright said about going in as the favorite. “What we can do as individuals will give us our team points.”