Denver – Coronado junior Jess Hankin found his way to a familiar place Friday at the Pepsi Center, punching his ticket to the state final for the second year in a row.

Seniors Rashawn Benford of Fountain-Fort Carson and Brandon Supernaw of Doherty will join Hankin in the finals for the first time in their respective careers, but have the luxury of a familiar opponent awaiting them Saturday night.

Hankin, who won the Class 5A 113-pound title a year ago, came into this tournament as the third-ranked wrestler in the state at 126 pounds, according to Tim Yount’s On the Mat Rankings.

“Being ranked third, nobody expects you to win it,” Hankin said. “It’s motivation. It helps knowing that there is something to work up to to keep working to get to the top.”

Hankin was a surprise state finalist and champion a year ago, but drew on that experience coming into this tournament, winning his opening match by fall and his quarterfinal bought by major decision, 14-6.

In the semifinal he gutted out a 7-5 decision over Greeley West junior Dylan West.

“It helped a lot (being here last year),” Hankin said. “It loosens the nerves going into it, having been here, done that. It feels good to be there again.”

For his work, Hankin earned a date with his club teammate, Cherry Creek senior Mitch Finesilver. Finesilver was the 2012-13 champion at 120.

Benford will battle for a title for the first time in his career after finishing fifth a year ago. He won his 152 semifinal against Arvada West junior Taylor Bergquist with a second-period pin using his favorite move since he started wrestling in sixth grade, a butcher.

“I just kept the pressure on him,” Benford said. “I could tell he was going to tie up, so once he took his shot I just prepared for my move. I caught him on his back.”

In the final he’ll face Deyaun Trueblood of Gateway.

Supernaw scored two takedowns in a 5-2 win over senior Giovanni Torres of Montbello, taking advantage of his attacking style for both scores, the last one coming in the final 10 seconds to seal the win.

“I really just capitalized on his mistakes,” Supernaw said, noting that Torres tends to overextend himself when he shoots. “My coaches told me to stay out of the tie and stay low. He was real aggressive when he takes a shot.”

Supernaw will meet a familiar foe in Grand Junction junior Jacob Trujillo in the final. Trujillo beat Supernaw 8-4 in the regional tournament a week ago – a memory he will try to put behind him tonight.

“I’ve got nothing to lose,” Supernaw said. “I just have to wrestle my match.”

Coronado’s Jess Hankin sends Fort Collins’ Dominic Alvarez to the mats during the 126 pound quarterfinals of the 5A Colorado Wrestling State Championships Friday, February 21, 2014 at the Pepsi Center. Hankin won the match 14-6. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette

Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette