Author: Justin Pederson
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Wrestling preview: Mesa Ridge seeks to improve upon last year’s runner-up finish
Devante Johnson’s football success did not come out of nowhere. Sure, the Mesa Ridge senior had a breakout season, running for 1,732 yards and 18 touchdowns. But that success was foreshadowed by his success on the wrestling mat the past two seasons. The two-time regional champion was the 4A runner-up at 160 pounds as a…
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Terry Robinson, satellite radio pioneer, dies of cancer
Carl Terrell (Terry) Robinson, former radio station group owner and satellite radio pioneer, died of cancer September 8 at his home in Colorado Springs. Robinson, 64, along with partner Bill Moyes, started Sunbelt Communications and formed Transtar in 1981 in Colorado Springs, becoming the first in the country to deliver long-form radio programming via satellite.…
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Wrestling athlete of the year: Josh Martinez, Pine Creek
The second time was twice as nice for Pine Creek senior Josh Martinez, who capped a perfect season with his second consecutive state title. Martinez had a 41-0 record at 125 pounds, pinning 20 opponents. His closest match was a 3-0 decision over a state champion from Texas in the finals of a tournament in…
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Wrestling coach of the year: Matt Brickell, Coronado
In 26 years at the helm of the Coronado wrestling program, Matt Brickell had seen his fair share of success. There were regional titles, repeat individual state champions, multiple champions in one year. But all of that proved to be just steppingstones on the way to the ultimate prize. The crescendo finally peaked at the…
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Several area wrestlers place third through sixth at state
DENVER – Several Pikes Peak-area wrestlers placed in the top six at the state wrestling tournament Saturday. Seniors Michael Ellsworth of Discovery Canyon and Terrell Stanley of Widefield closed their high school careers by pinning their opponents for a third-place finish. Ellsworth stuck Josh Bechtold of Skyline in 1 minute, 50 seconds at 171. Ellsworth’s…
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A coronation for Coronado
DENVER • For the first time in 37 years, Colorado Springs is home to a state wrestling team champion. Coronado corralled the elusive trophy with a 184.5-168 win over runner-up Pomona in the 5A state wrestling championships at the Pepsi Center on Saturday, claiming three individual titles in the process. Sophomore Adrian Cordova (112 pounds)…
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Gazette Preps: A coronation for Coronado
DENVER • For the first time in 37 years, Colorado Springs is home to a state wrestling team champion. Coronado corralled the elusive trophy with a 184.5-168 win over runner-up Pomona in the 5A state wrestling championships at the Pepsi Center on Saturday, claiming three individual titles in the process. Coronado coach Matt Brickell gets…
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Adams, Discovery Canyon have title within their grasp
Discovery Canyon took a step closer to its first state title Friday at the 4A state championships and senior Nick Adams took another step toward history. In all four Pikes Peak 4A area wrestlers advanced to the state title match. After the semifinals, Broomfield led with 77 points, followed by Windsor 73, Arvada 70.5 and…
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State wrestling quarterfinal updates: Coronado leads 5A with seven in semis
Mesa Ridge has first shot at individual title Devante Johnson continued his hot streak, pinning Sterling senior Brayden Zink in five minutes, 30 seconds in the 160 semifinal. It was the third straight pin of the tournament for the Mesa Ridge junior, who trailed 15-9 in the second period. He fought back to a 15-13…
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Discovery Canyon lives up to expectations on first day
DENVER • Discovery Canyon started out on the right track Thursday at the 4A state wrestling championships at the Pepsi Center. The Thunder won the matches it was supposed to and picked up an upset victory by sophomore Steve Turner at 119 pounds. Discovery Canyon faces an uphill battle if it is contend for the…