Competing in the quarterfinals of the Class 2A state tournament in Denver on the morning of Feb. 20, the quality of Dove Creek High School’s top two wrestlers became evident.
Baughman pins defending state champion
Wrestling against Monte Vista’s Jose Duran (36-6) in the 126-pound quarterfinals, Bulldogs junior Case Baughman (39-9) was dominant from start to finish on his way to a pin victory.
The Dove Creek junior’s win was especially impressive in light of the fact that Duran captured the Class 3A state championship in the 113-pound weight division last season.
“My approach was to go out there, wrestle my style and win,” said Case Baughman. “You can’t worry until the last whistle blows. You just have to wrestle for all three periods and do the best that you can.”
After being taken down with 1 minute and 13 seconds to go in the first period, Baughman scored a reversal roughly 20 seconds later however, and nearly pinned his overmatched opponent.
Case Baughman led 7-2 at the end of the first period and pulled ahead 9-2 in the second period before pinning Duran with 1 minute left in the second period.
In the moments after the match, Dove Creek head coach Shane Baughman discussed Case Baughman’s physical strength, which proved to be a decisive factor in the match.
“The thing with Case is that he works hard all summer long in the weight room and through the school year in weights class,” said Shane Baughman. That helps a bunch, being the stronger kid.”
Next up for Case Baughman will be a semifinals matchup against Rocky Ford High School’s Jeremy Fraser (37-6) in the evening on Feb. 20.
Randolph cruises to semifinals
Competing against Del Norte’s Tyler Martinez (20-12), Bulldogs 138-pound senior Chance Randolph (42-8) won 6-1 to advance to the state semifinals.
Randolph scored a takedown with 1 minute and 15 seconds left in the first to take a 2-0 lead before allowing Martinez to briefly escape.
The Dove Creek senior pulled ahead 4-1 after a lift and takedown with 37 seconds left in the second period before dominating the third period in route to an easy victory.
“I wanted to wrestle smart and do my best,” said Randolph.
“Chance wrestled a smart match,” added Shane Baughman. “That kid was dangerous and we knew it.”
With the victory, Randolph advances to tonight’s Class 2A state semifinals, where he will take on Baca County’s J.D. Chenoweth (33-5).
Hobbs wins in consolation bracket
After losing his opening match of the state tournament on Feb. 19, Dove Creek junior Colin Hobbs (32-9) returned to action on Feb. 20 and scored a 15-0 technical fall victory over Peyton High School’s Austin Hermes (15-19).
With the win, Hobbs advanced to a consolation bracket matchup against Calhan High School’s Zach McCrary (24-17), which will take place on the evening of Feb. 20.