DENVER \u2014 Eagle Valley wrestling sits in fifth place after the first day of the 3A state tournament at the Pepsi Center in Denver.<\/p>\n
The Devils went 5-2 on Thursday during the opening round of the double-elimination tournament, have 18 points and are within sight of state leader Alamosa (28).<\/p>\n
Four of Eagle Valley\u2019s five wins came via pins, which earn more points than decisions.<\/p>\n
At 120 pounds, Luke Morrissey put Brush\u2019s\u00a0Erick Urbina on the mat in 3 minutes, 34 seconds. The senior takes on Kason Smith of Alamosa today in the quarterfinals. Not only will this be a big match for Morrissey, but it\u2019s a chance to gain ground on the favored\u00a0Mean Moose, which is still one\u00a0of the great mascots in Colorado high school sports.<\/p>\n
Lucas Comroe got off to a great start at 132 pounds, getting a 49-second pin of Pueblo Central\u2019s Josh Atencio. Comroe, ranked No. 2 at 132 by onthemat.com, lost to No. 1-ranked Andrew Sansbum, of Jefferson, 9-7 at regionals last weekend. Not that anyone would be looking, but Sansbum also advanced on Thursday via a pin. Comroe takes on Valley\u2019s Zach Brown today.<\/p>\n
Ryder Bossow earned 4-0 decision against Woodland Park\u2019s Brad Conlin at 138. That sets up a bout against Fort Morgan\u2019s Cael Langford.<\/p>\n
In shocking news \u2014 not \u2014 Davis Ward won by\u00a0a fall. This time it was Pagosa Springs\u2019 Connor Aragon. Ward\u2019s next opponent is Bennett\u2019s Mason Wakeham.<\/p>\n
Cody Ponce rolled into the quarterfinals at 220 by taking care of La Junta\u2019s Ryan Metzger in all of 27 seconds. Ponce gets Fort Morgan\u2019s James Hochanadel in the Elite Eight.<\/p>\n
At 126 pounds, Kodi Raper fell to Delta\u2019s Ben Koch, 10-6. N0ah Baldwin was pinned at 160 by Fort Lupton\u2019s Koby Galicia. Again, this is a double-elimination tournament, and both can wrestle their way back to the podium.<\/p>\n