DENVER – Several Pikes Peak-area wrestlers placed in the top six at the state wrestling tournament Saturday. Seniors Michael Ellsworth of Discovery Canyon and Terrell Stanley of Widefield closed their high school careers by pinning their opponents for a third-place finish. Ellsworth stuck Josh Bechtold of Skyline in 1 minute, 50 seconds at 171. Ellsworth’s teammate Garret Adams, a junior, placed fourth at 145.

Stanley, took just 6 seconds into the second period to beat Conifer’s Don Fuller in the heavyweight division. Fellow Gladiator senior DJ Hightower finished fourth.

Senior Danny Stout of Wasson claimed a third-place finish at 215 with an 11-3 major decision over Air Academy senior Brian Gelston. Vista Ridge junior Quinton Riley took fifth with a 7-4 decision over Alameda’s Eddie Jaime at 215.

Gelston’s teammate Rip Price, a junior, placed sixth at 189. He was beaten in the fifth-place match by one of Woodland Park’s three placers – senior Shawn McMahill. Fellow Panther seniors Gavin Blanchard placed fourth at 140 and Tyler Flournoy finished sixth at 160.Bobby Amond, a sophomore from Cheyenne Mountain, took fourth at 125.

Palmer Ridge placed two wrestlers with junior Antero Guy taking fourth at 135 and senior Zach Knutson finishing fifth at 171.In Class 3A, Florence sophomore Dillon Bellino led the Huskies with a fifth-place finish at 103 and senior Cody Mattewson took sixth at 145.

Senior Zane Leaf closed his career on a winning note with a fifth-place finish at 135, matching the Titans’ highest-ever placement in the state tournament, equalling the 2009 finish by 215-pounder Jared Goad.