NORTHGLENN — Eagle Valley wrestling won last weekend’s Northglenn Norse Invitational, and there was wasn’t much of a celebration.
Umm, guys, that’s three tournament wins in 2019.
The Devils, now ranked No. 4 in the state in 3A by onthemat.com, beat 5A No. 3 Grand Junction at Northglenn.
Eagle Valley also dropped two 4A top 10 teams in Thompson Valley and Longmont.
Yet still no pandemonium.
“What I’m seeing is that kids are starting to believe and talk about the state tournament,” Eagle Valley coach Luke Cross said. “They’re going out there and putting everything on the line during every match.”
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That is the state — and regional — mentality. The Class 4A Region 3 Tournament is Feb. 15-16 at Jefferson High School. State is at the Pepsi Center Feb. 21-23.
The immediacy is that Saturday’s 4A/5A Colorado Dual State Championship in Pueblo is 3A Eagle Valley’s last tournament before regionals.
Davis dominates
Coming off the Mel Smith Invitational, where the Devils won but no Devil won his weight class, Eagle Valley had a winner in Davis Ward at 182 pounds.
After a first-round bye, the senior pinned his three opponents in a total of 4 minutes, 38 seconds.
Thanks for coming. Drive home safely.
Meanwhile, freshman Cody Raper earned his first podium, fourth place, at 126. The first podium is always a landmark in a wrestler’s career. For Raper to get his first at a tournament like the Northglenn Norse is quite the accomplishment and bodes well for the stretch drive.
Like the Mel Smith, Eagle Valley got points from just about all over the lineup.
Hello Pueblo
While the 4A/5A Colorado Dual State Championship sounds imposing, it is not an official state championship. It is a good opportunity for the Devils to get a bunch of matches, and hopefully against some elite competition.
Eagle Valley will face off against Fowler and Pueblo Central in the equivalent of pool play. Ideally, the Devils want to advance to face teams like Rockey Ford, ranked No. 2 in 2A, and Alamosa, the top-ranked squad in 3A.
In the meantime, Eagle Valley continues its work in practice, fine-tuning technique and running to build mental toughness.
Northglenn Norse Invite
Team results
Eagle Valley 175
Thompson Valley 168.5
Grand Junction 166.5
Arapahoe 130.5
Lyons 106.5
Individual results
106 pounds — Matthew Medina, fourth
120 pounds — Luke Morrissey, second
126 pounds — Kodi Raper, fourth
132 pounds — Lucas Comroe, second
138 pounds — Ryder Bossow, third
182 pounds — Davis Ward, first
195 pounds — Brian Garcia, fifth
220 pounds — Cody Ponce, second
