One day into this year’s tournament, it appears as if things will be much the same for the Bulldogs, who won two of their three matches in the opening round.
Randolph wins easily in first round
Leading the way for Dove Creek was 138-pound senior Chance Randolph (39-8), who pinned Del Norte’s Tyler Martinez (19-11) 1 minute and 10 seconds into the first round.
“Chance looked good,” said Dove Creek head coach Shane Baughman. “He was dominant and outclassed his opponent. (Chance) was a lot better wrestler than who he was going up against.”
Randolph will face Burlington High School’s Martin Torres Jr.. (25-7) in the quarterfinals on the morning of Feb. 20.
Baughman dominant in opening-round victory
Much like Chance Randolph, Dove Creek’s 126-pound sophomore Case Baughman (38-9) controlled the action throughout a 7-2 first-round victory over Sedwick County/Flemming High School’s Keith Graham (38-4).
Graham entered the match as the fifth ranked wrestler in Class 2A’s 126-pound class.
“Case wrestled good,” said Shane Baughman. “The kid was a pretty decent kid and Case dominated him the whole match.”
Next up for Baughman will be a quarterfinal match against Monte Vista’s Jose Duran (36-5), who won the Class 3A 113-pound state title last season.
“Case is just going to go out there and wrestle and do his own thing,” said Shane Baughman. “We’re not going to worry about what anyone else is doing.”
Hobbs pinned in opening match
For Dove Creek’ junior Colin Hobbs (31-9), the state tournament did not open on a positive note as the 106-pounder was pinned by Burlington High School’s Cody Jacobson (33-8) with 20 seconds left in the second period.
“Colin started slow and finished slow,” said Shane Baughman. “He never caught stride and he didn’t move real fast. When you’re in Denver, you can’t do that.”
Hobbs will face off against Peyton High School’s Austin Hermes (15-17) on the morning of Feb. 20.