The showdown between the city’s heavyweights turned out to be a beatdown, as host Pine Creek won 11-of-14 bouts in dominating Class 5A defending state champion Coronado, 58-18, on Wednesday.

The Eagles, the No. 2-ranked team in Class 5A in Tim Yount’s On the Mat Rankings, reeled off seven straight wins, including five straight pins in the middle weights, against the No. 4 Cougars, avenging consecutive close loses in this rivalry the past two years.

The Eagles Andrew Wallace (No. 6) claimed an 11-6 decision over No. 15 Devan House at 126. The match was tight through the first two periods with House tying the score at 6-6 in the opening seconds of the third period before running out of steam. Junior Geordan Martinez (No. 1) claimed a 9-1 major decision over No. 7 junior Devan Cruz at 132, staking the Eagles to a 13-6 lead before their pin streak started at 138 with senior Jerry McGinty.

“I told the guys — that middle group — ‘we’ve got to get rolling with you guys if we want to the mood swinging in the right direction’,” Eagles coach Billy Gabel said.

McGinty (No. 1) set the runaway train in motion with a 53-second pin of Justin Brehe. He wasted no time, scoring a quick takedown and collecting two near fall points before sticking Brehe with an outside cradle.

“Guys started rolling and we got some pins where we weren’t expecting to pin,” said McGinty, who is headed to the Air Force Academy Prep School next fall. “This is a big statement for us after losing to Fountain-Fort Carson.”

Fifth-ranked junior Derrik Ortiz followed with a 3-minute, 24-second pin of No. 14 Andrew West at 145 and senior Johnny Wells, ranked 11th at 152, used a cradle to stick Grady Pina in 3 minutes, 25 seconds. Senior Alex Markowski kept the momentum, opening the second period with a quick takedown and a pin at 2:40 at 160 against Grant Burghardt. Sophomore Isaac Ortiz (170) was equally dominant with a pin of Daniel Crandall in 1:53.

“We didn’t expect that,” Markowski said. “We were all so pumped up for this. We’ve never had that kind of strong showing against them. Once we got rolling we were all so excited. We’ve been working so hard in the (practice) room and I guess it paid off.”

But Gabel didn’t want to hear about statements being made in a dual in December, downplaying the impact of the win in terms of his team’s place among the state’s elite.

“The only time I think anybody should be ranked No. 1 is when you win it at the end of the year,” Gabel said. “I just want my guys ready at the end of the year.”  

Second-ranked senior Brandon Tribble pinned Sam Smith in 3:27 at 195 and Caleb Preciado stuck Ricky Cranford in 3:01 in the heavyweight bout putting the victory away for the Eagles.

All of Coronado’s points came on pins as well. Junior Adrian Cordova (No. 1 at 120) methodically scored six takedowns in the opening 90 seconds before sticking Tyrell Williams with a Banana Splits in 1:45. Richard Cote broke the Pine Creek streak with a 4-minute, 45-second pin of Matt List at 182 and senior Justin West took down Nick Webster in 1:14 at 220.  

Coronado wrestled without one of its top performers, seventh-ranked senior Trevor Powers (170), but it wouldn’t have mattered. The Eagles were without their starting 113, sophomore Chris Cos, and senior heavyweight Ian Kluckman, both ranked sixth.

“They’re tough,” Cougars coach Matt Brickell said. “They look good and they didn’t even have some of their studs in there. No excuses, they kicked our butts.”

Coronado’s Devin House lifts Pine Creek’s Andrew Wallace during their 126-pound bout Wednesday. Wallace defeated House 11-6 and Pine Creek won the meet. Photo by MARK REIS, THE GAZETTE