Pine Creek 138-pound senior Geordan Martinez dominated in a way rarely seen this season, compiling a 44-0 record to capture his third state title.

The state final came down to a matchup with No. 2 seed Austin Marvel, a senior from Pomona. Martinez scored a takedown in the first period and racked up a 10-0 decision.

“That was the most ready I’ve been for a match since my freshman year,” Martinez said. “The last match of my high school career, the opponent, the last time with my dad and uncle (Pine Creek assistant coaches) coaching me, the last time representing my school.”

But Marvel can take some measure of pride in the fact that he kept it relatively close.

Click here to read about the upper weights wrestler of the year

Martinez pinned his first three opponents at state, including two in the first minute. On the season he recorded 32 pins in a total time of 53 minutes, 30 seconds, despite his coach requiring three takedowns before a pin.

Click here to read about The Gazette’s coach of the year

Martinez only had one decision by fewer than 8 points, a 6-1 decision over the second-ranked wrestler in California.

In four years, Martinez went 166-2, giving him the most career victories of any Colorado prep wrestler according to CHSAA record books. His 110 pins of those rank eighth.

Click here to see The Gazette’s second team and honorable mention lists

Martinez closed his junior year by dropping a 5-4 decision in the state final in which his opponent’s five points came from Martinez cutting him loose for an escape and four penalty points against Martinez. That decision, which Martinez concedes could have been prevented had he simply wrestled better, burned in his mind all year.

“In order to get what you want you have to put in the work,” Martinez said. “My junior year I don’t know if I put in enough work. It was a big motivational part for me this season.”

The state final was the first time Martinez had faced Marvel since a regional semifinal loss to Marvel his freshman year.

“Wrestling Marvel one more time just to set things right, for lack of a better word, was another one that was a pretty big motivational factor.”

For all his accomplishments Martinez displays no ego; quiet and humble and always focused on his next match. For now that focus is on Senior Nationals in Virginia Beach, Va., April 3-7. After graduation he’s off to basic training at the US Air Force Academy, where he’ll continue wrestling.

The academy has become a family tradition as much as wrestling, with Martinez following the footsteps of older sister Genelle (26) and brother Gabrian (22), who currently wrestles for the Falcons.

“After seeing my brother go through it and how much he’s gained from it, that definitely impacted my decision in going there,” Martinez said. “He’s more of an articulate, knowledgeable person, more of a leader. The academy made him into that person. I’m definitely looking forward to being able to represent the academy and follow the legacy that my brother and sister made for me.”

Pine Creek’s Geordan Martinez is The Gazette’s Lower Weights Wrestling Peak Performer of the Year. Photo by MICHAEL CIAGLO, THE GAZETTE