Notes from the state wrestling tournament’s final day at Denver’s Pepsi Center:

Controversial finish costs Pine Creek’s Martinez

About 10 minutes after the 5A 132-pound final ended, Pomona’s Raymond Robledo was awarded a 5-4 decision over Pine Creek’s Geordan Martinez.

The match was stopped twice in the second period for a malfunctioning scoreboard, but when the period finally ended Martinez led 2-0 from a first-period takedown. Then things got strange.

Early in the third Martinez was called for stalling a second time, giving Robledo a point. Several observers thought the stalling calls were made rather quickly, but it seemed to be a moot point when Martinez scored a reversal for a 4-1 lead with about 1 minute remaining.

In the final minute Martinez was called for a technical violation twice for locking his hands — his second and third technical violations — and two points were added to Robledo’s score. After a Robledo escape as time expired the scoreboard read 4-4.

SEE VIDEO OF THE THIRD PERIOD

However, the Pomona coach approached the scorers table and contested the second locked-hands call should have been worth two points. After a lengthy discussion that had the Pepsi Center crowd chanting “Overtime, Overtime,” the referee agreed with the coach, awarding Robledo another penalty point and the win.

Even after receiving his second-place medal Martinez was not clear what was called.

“I was up 4-3 and the next thing you know I lost,” Martinez said. “I don’t even know what they called. I’ve never been in that situation before. I didn’t know how it worked.”

Eagles coach Billy Gabel was disappointed, but chose to focus on what he and Martinez could have done differently rather than blame the officials.

“He didn’t wrestle well,” Gabel said. “The (Pomona) kid earned one point and we gave him four points on penalties. At this level there are gifted wrestlers and you have to wrestle well. Now he just has to learn from it.”

TCA leads area 3A teams

The Classical Academy sophomore Andrew Register joined two former Titans as the highest placer in school history Saturday with a 12-9 decision over Coalridge’s Devon Godeski in the 138-pound fifth-place match. Register was able to enjoy his place in school history for 30 minutes or so until senior Zach Dillon placed fourth at 160. For good measure, big brother Daniel Register put Andrew back in line in the family pecking order with a fourth-place finish of his own at 182.

The trio pushed the Titans to a 20th-place finish, the best for the Titans and top spot among area 3A teams. Florence was in 27th and Ellicott 36th.

Fountain-Fort Carson’s

Coronado, Fountain-Fort Carson and Pine Creek finished in a three-way tie for the 5A Metro league. All three finished in the state’s top seven, with Pine Creek in first, Fountain-Fort Carson sixth and Coronado seventh.

Fountain-Fort Carson senior Jacob Mondragon had an outstanding state tournament, closing his high school career with a third-place finish for the Trojans at 126. Mondragon struggled during the season and came into state ranked outside of the top 10, but turned it on when it counted the most, claiming an 8-3 decision over Grand Junction Central’s Jacob Rubalcaba.

Teammate Seth Wilson, also a senior, finished fourth after a questionable call sent the match to overtime, where he lost a 5-3 decision to Coronado’s Trevor Powers at 170.

Powers, a senior, joined junior finalist Adrian Cordova as the only medalists for the Cougars. Evan Boulton finished sixth for Doherty after collecting his first state tournament victory Thursday. Rampart senior Keith Karnes won a 4-3 decision over Eaglecrest’s Mike Howshar for fifth place.

Etc.

Palmer Ridge’s Rylen Thalhammer, sporting his temporary tattoo honoring two of the Bears’ wrestling moms with thyroid cancer, finished sixth in the 106-pound class. … Lewis-Palmer’s Mike Hartling (120) finished sixth. … Mesa Ridge’s Keith Cays finished fifth and Palmer Ridge’s Anetero Guy finished third at 145. … Lewis-Palmer’s Pete Barringer (152) finished fifth. … Mesa Ridge’s Devante Johnson beat Discovery Canyon’s Garrett Adams to take third at 160 – Adams took fourth. … Falcon’s Kyle Soula (160) finished fifth. … Cheyenne Mountain’s Jeremy Grooms and Lewis Palmer’s Jack Wyman finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the 170 class. … Cañon City’s Miquel Montelongo (182) finished third. … Discovery Canyon’s David Traynor finished fourth. … Palmer Ridge’s Andrew Giles (285) finished sixth. … In 2A, Peyton’s Wade Tope (185) finished fifth.

Discovery Canyon finished fourth in 4A

Second-place finishes for area wrestlers

5A

Geordan Martinez, Pine Creek

Jerry McGinty, Pine Creek

Brandon Tribble, Pine Creek

4A

Bobby Amond, Cheyenne Mountain

Adrian Mack, Discovery Canyon

Quinton Riley, Vista Ridge

Tuli Laula, Sand Creek

Pomona’s Raymond Robledo celebrates after defeating Pine Creek’s Geo Martinez 5-4 in the 5A 132-pound championship match Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at the Pepsi Center in Denver. Photo by KEVIN KRECK, SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE