Pine Creek took 11 wrestlers to the state tournament, but for the first time since 2006 failed to advance a wrestler to a state final bout with three Eagles falling in the semifinals. But the disappointment of the day quickly gave way to excitement for the future.

Only four of the Eagles’ 11 state qualifiers are seniors. Two of the semifinalists, Jordan Martinez and Juan Rodriguez are freshmen. Junior Dakota Colonese was the third semifinalist.

Martinez lost 8-7 to Adams City sophomore Fabian Gutierrez at 106 pounds. After scoring a reversal and three near-fall points late in the third Martinez gave up a reversal with five seconds left in the match.

Rodriguez drew top-seeded senior Josh Rosales of Pomona and struggled to keep up in the first period, falling behind 7-0 early en route to a 12-1 loss. Colonese also drew the top seed at 138 in Cherry Creek senior Zach Finesilver but put up a good fight in a 4-0 loss.

“As a visionary, I came in here to win state,” coach Billy Gabel said. “The kids I have might change, but the vision never does.

“I’m trying to be optimistic. This is a young team, great kids, hard workers. Everything looks good.”

Bruce Nozolino Photo by