Wrestling previews

«SCHOOL: University High Bulldogs

«CONFERENCE: Class 3A Patriot League/Gold Division

«COACH: Rory O'Farrell, 1st season

«2006-07 HIGHLIGHTS: The Bulldogs sent three wrestlers to the state tournament -- Joe O'Farrell, Shane Mendoza, and Mason Amaya. Mendoza and O'Farrell were second at 152 pounds and 180, respectively. Amaya was 2-2 at the state tournament.

«SEASON OPENER: 6:30 p.m., Thursday at Estes Park.

«TOP WRESTLERS: Mason Amaya, jr., state-qualifier, 112 pounds; Michael Archibeque, sr., 125; Aaron Pualding, soph., 130; Ronnie Blea, jr., 135; Shane Mendoza, sr., state runner-up, 160; Trevor Mendoza, soph., 171; David Antuna, soph., heavyweight.

«2007-08 OUTLOOK: The Bulldogs have set a goal to win their division in the Patriot League. "We also want to qualify at least six or seven wrestlers for the state tournament," O'Farrell said. "I really expect Shane Mendoza to return to the state finals. Amaya, who is just a junior, also had the ability to get to the finals."

«SCHOOL: Greeley Central Wildcats

«CONFERENCE: Class 4A Northern Conference

«COACH: Eric Penfold, 3rd season

«2006-07 HIGHLIGHTS: Wildcats Scott Schaeffer (135 pounds), and Brice Wolf (171) won 4A state titles. Rodney Hesse (140) placed third at the state tournament.

«SEASON OPENER: 9 a.m., Saturday at the Weld Central Duals.

«TOP WRESTLERS: Jacob Atwood, soph., 119; Aaron Andrade, sr., 125; Michael Rangel, jr., state-qualifier, 130; Scott Schaeffer, sr., state champion, 140; Rodney Hesse, sr., third-place at state, 145; Jeremy Paz, sr., state-qualifier, 160; Brice Wolf, jr., state champion, 171.

«2007-08 OUTLOOK: With two returning state champs, the Wildcats have solid leadership, and Penfold is optimistic about the work ethic of the younger wrestlers on the squad.

«SCHOOL: Northridge Grizzlies

«CONFERENCE: Class 4A Northern

«COACH: Juan Vallejos, 2nd season

«2006-07 HIGHLIGHTS: Heavyweight Tim Saucedo claimed the school's first-ever state title, while Patrick Gomez and Justin Gonzales were runners-up at the state tournament. The Grizzlies were in the hunt for the state title until the final day, but settled for second behind Alamosa.

«SEASON OPENER: 7 p.m., Thursday at home vs. Greeley West

«TOP WRESTLERS: Robert Pickrell, soph., state qualifier, 130/135; Nick McCorkel, soph., state-qualifier, 135/140; Easton Ramirez, sr., three-time state place winner, 140/145; Justin Gonzales, jr., state runner-up, 145/152; Patrick Gomez, jr., state runner-up, 160; Derek Vasquez, sr., state place winner, 152/171; Tim Saucedo, sr., defending state champion, hwt.

«2007-08 OUTLOOK: The Grizzlies are talented up-and-down the lineup, led by Saucedo, who is the school's first-ever state champion. They are considered to be the best team in Weld County, and are expected to contend for the 4A state title with defending champion Alamosa, Broomfield, Pueblo West, Fort Morgan and Broomfield.

«SCHOOL: Greeley West Spartans

«CONFERENCE: Class 4A Northern

«COACH: Jim Martinez, 2nd season

«2006-07 HIGHLIGHTS: The Spartans were led by Justin Waterman's runner-up finish at the state tournament at 215 pounds. Jeremy DeLaCruz was one of the Spartans' top competitors at 130 pounds, losing just five matches, all to ranked opponents.

«SEASON OPENER: 7 p.m. Thursday at Northridge.

«TOP WRESTLERS: Joseph Martinez, fresh., 103/112; Jeremy DeLaCruz, sr., 130; Nathaniel Garcia, fresh., 135; Garrett Shoup, jr., 145/152; Justin Waterman, sr., state runner-up, 189; A.J. Frieler, soph., 215.

«2007-08 OUTLOOK: The Spartans are continuing to rebuild, and will look for leadership from Waterman and DeLaCruz and Frieler. A goal is to qualify a handful of wrestlers to state, and have all of them place.

«SCHOOL: Fort Lupton Bluedevils

«CONFERENCE: Class 4A Skyline

«COACH: Tom Galicia, third season

«2006-07 HIGHLIGHTS: The Bluedevils didn't have particularly high numbers, with 15 wrestlers, but it didn't stop Fort Lupton from making some noise at state. Behind Saul Guerrero's second 130-pound class state championship in two years and Dale Shull's second-place finish in the 112 bracket, the Bluedevils finished ninth in the team standings at state. As a senior, Eric Zamora finished fourth in the 119 weight bracket.

«TOP WRESTLERS: Saul Guerrero, 135, sr.; Nathan Ornelas, 171, sr.; Dale Shull, 125, jr.; Fabian Guerrero, 215, jr.; Hector Solis, 152, jr.; Angelo Giron, 160, jr.; Anthony Deleon, 103, soph.

«SEASON OPENER: 9 a.m. Saturday at Fort Lupton Invite

«2007-08 OUTLOOK: Fort Lupton has its sights set on finishing in the top 5 at state. The Bluedevils start their season on Saturday at their home tournament in Fort Lupton. Galicia said it would be nice to start strong, but it's vital the team peaks come state tournament time. "I'm a firm believer in how you finish," he said.

«SCHOOL: Windsor Wizards

«CONFERENCE: Class 4A

Northern

«COACH: Dave Nicholl, 18th season

«2006-07 HIGHLIGHTS: The Wizards went 4-3 in duals, finished fourth in conference and fourth in regional. The team qualified five for state, with two placing -- Josh Larson finished fifth in the 189 bracket and Darren Christopher placed third in the heavyweight bracket.

«TOP WRESTLERS: Mark Bement, 125 sr.; Zhenya Ketcham, 145, jr.; Justin Donahoo, 152, sr.; Curtis Koehler, 160, sr.; Brett Ross, 171, soph., Kohl Martin, 189, jr., Garrett Mullins, 215, sr.; Joey Pattison, 103, fresh.; Banning Lobmeyer, 140, fresh.; 112 Joe Gonzalez, 112, jr.; Frank Witt, 135, soph.; Nick Broeder, 135, sr., Jeremy Whittle, 135, jr.

«SEASON OPENER: 7 p.m. Thursday at Sterling

«2007-08 OUTLOOK: Nicholl said the effort his wrestlers put forth will be the true measuring stick for success this season. Hard work in practices carries over into matches, the veteran coach said. The Wizards open on the road Thursday against Sterling before returning home to host the Windsor Invite at 9 a.m. Saturday. "We've been practicing against ourselves for the past 2 1/2 weeks," he said. "It will be good to get in against some other competition and see where we stand going into the season."

«SCHOOL: Eaton Reds

«CONFERENCE: Class 3A Patriot

«COACH: Dan Lewis, second season

«2006-07 RECAP: Eaton qualified seven wrestlers for state. Four wrestlers placed and the Reds finished seventh in the team standings. Brandon Kammerzell won the 160-pound title, Christian Griffith was third in the 171 bracket, Aaron Batt placed fifth in the 189 bracket and Preston Rininger was sixth in the 215 weight class.

«TOP WRESLTERS: Matt Smith, 140, jr.; Justin Hatchell, 145, jr.; Bryce Kammerzell, 160, soph.; Aaron Batt, 189, sr.; Preston Rininger, 215, sr.

«SEASON OPENER: 6:30 p.m. Thursday vs. Yuma

«2007-08 OUTLOOK: The Reds have five state qualifiers and two state placers coming back for an otherwise young team. Eaton will start the season Thursday against Yuma and will start eight underclassmen. That team will consist of two seniors, three juniors, five freshmen and four sophomores. By midseason, Lewis said he expects to be able to field a full team. If Eaton is going to make its mark in a tough Patriot League, the young wrestlers are going to have to make a big impact. "Everyone knows that Roosevelt is the team to beat; I just hope we have a team that can compete with them," Lewis said. "It just depends on if the younger kids can step up and make it happen."

«SCHOOL: Platte Valley Broncos

«CONFERENCE: Class 3A Patriot

«COACH: Matt Weber, second season

«2006-07 RECAP: Platte Valley had five state qualifiers, four placers and one state champion. The Broncos finished 11th in the team standings. David Clark won the 189 weight class title. Jared Cass was fifth in the 135 bracket, Trevor Shockley was sixth in the 140 bracket and Kyle Symonds was fourth in the 171 bracket.

«TOP WRESTLERS: David Clark, 189, sr.; Jared Cass, 145, sr.; Trevor Shockley, 140, sr., Cody Oster, 135-140, sr.; Kyle Symonds, 171, sr.; Wade Oster 135, jr.; Clay Flot, 112, soph.; Kaleb Arnold, 103, fresh.; Jordan Smith, 130, soph.

«SEASON OPENER: 8 a.m. Saturday at the Fort Morgan duals

«2007-08 OUTLOOK: The Broncos' run to the Class 2A state championship football game on Saturday forced Weber and the wrestling team to practice with just eight participants in recent weeks. On Monday, they had a full squad of 20. Shockley will miss the start of the season with an injured left shoulder suffered during the football season but hopes to be back around Christmas time. Weber said the coaches and wrestlers have their sights set on finishing in the top 10 in the team standings at state. Platte Valley opens the season with the 125 and heavyweight slots open. Weber said the team might fill the 125 opening. Platte Valley has a big test next Thursday when it plays host to defending 3A champion Brush.

«SCHOOL: Roosevelt Rough Riders

«CONFERENCE: Class 3A Patriot

«COACH: Mike Pallotto, 34rd season

«2006-07 RECAP: Roosevelt fell just short of its season-long goal of winning state, finishing second in the team standings behind Brush. "It was a good year," Pallotto said. "We didn't finish where we wanted to at the state tournament, but I thought we battled." Three Rough Rider wrestlers won individual state titles -- Dan Frank (125), P.J. Gallegos (130) and Tim Frank (152).

«TOP WRESTLERS: Kyle Walter, jr., 103; Zach Legino, soph. 125; Dan Frank, jr., 130; Jarron Cito, jr., 135; Brandon Montoya, jr., 152; Jeff Plumb, sr., 160; Nathan Heuer, jr., 171; Dustin Frank, sr., 215; Jeff Kielian, 140, soph.

«SEASON OPENER: 9 a.m. Saturday at Rocky Ford tournament

«2007-08 OUTLOOK: Roosevelt returns eight state qualifiers from last year, including one state champion (Dan Frank) and two runners-up (Montoya, Heuer and Dustin Frank). The Rough Riders again set their sights on winning a team state championship in February. Pallotto said his wrestlers are excited to start the season. Pallotto said even though the biggest key is that the team retains that excitement throughout the season, his wrestlers are entering the season with the right attitude. "The kids are wrestling well and working hard." he said.

«SCHOOL: Weld Central Rebels

«CONFERENCE: Class 3A Patriot

«COACH: Jason Schellenberg, first season

«2006-07 RECAP: Weld Central qualified seven for state but went 2-14 at the tournament. "They had a good regional tournament but a sub-par state tournament," Schellenberg said of last year's squad.

«TOP WRESTLERS: Jimmy Hirsch, sr., 145-52; Edgar Castro, soph., 135; Jeremiah Bossow, soph., 189; Carl Nightswonger, jr., 171.

«SEASON OPENER: 9 a.m. Saturday at Weld Central Dual Tournament

«2007-08 OUTLOOK: The revamped Rebels wrestling program is headed by first-year head coach Schellenberg, who before this season spent time coaching the middle school. The team has one senior on the team, Jimmy Hirsch, who will take on a big leadership role on the squad. Schellenberg said Hirsch has shown great dedication and he hopes the rest of the young team follows the senior's lead. Weld Central will start the season with two weight slots open -- 103 and heavyweight. Schellenberg said he and his assistant coaches are making some nice strides that they hope end with a strong run at state in February. "We are just trying to get the boys to peak at the right time," he said. "Our goals are to win a regional championship and crack into the top 10 in state."

«SCHOOL: Highland Huskies

«CONFERENCE: Class 3A Patriot

«COACH: Jake Varra, sixth season

«2006-07 RECAP: Highland won the gold division title in its half of the Class 3A Patriot League. The Huskies qualified five wrestlers for the state tournament, and Austin Kinnison took home the heavyweight title.

«TOP WRESTLERS: Austin Kinnison HWT, sr.; Troy Kuhlman, sr., 140; Josh Neill, sr., 125

«SEASON OPENER: 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the Akron Tournament

«2007-08 OUTLOOK: Highland has a small team -- 103, 152 and 215 are open -- but the Huskies do have three state qualifiers returning -- Kinnison, Kuhlman and Neill. "We're kind of short on numbers, but I think we have quality kids and I expect a lot from them," Varra said. Highland's run in the Class 1A 11-man football playoffs cut into the time set aside for preseason wrestling practice, but the group has shown a lot of dedication since returning to the wrestling room, Varra said.

«SCHOOL: Valley Vikings

«CONFERENCE: Class 3A Patriot

«COACH: Mike Caciari, 11th season

«2006-07 RECAP: Valley lacked experience but did manage to qualify four wrestlers for state -- Derek Schneider (103), Cole Cunningham (125), Nathan Lara (135) and Tyler Yates (160). "We were pretty inexperienced and had a lot of growing pains, but I think we'll be better this year," Caciari said.

«TOP WRESTLERS: Nate Lara, 135, jr.; Austin Kern, 160, sr.; Jake Hutchins, 189, sr.; Will Hannah, 152, sr.,; Tyler Yates, 171, sr.

«SEASON OPENER: 9 a.m. Saturday at Fort Lupton Invite

«2007-08 OUTLOOK: Valley only has one opening (215) going into a season in which the Vikings hope to continue making strides. The Vikings open against a tough field at the Fort Lupton Invite. Caciari said the season opener should be a good early-season learning experience for his young team. "I like when the kids are wrestling tough competition; it makes them better," Caciari said.

Source:Staff reports