Prior to his second match of the Colorado State wrestling tournament in Denver on Feb. 20, Josh Ramos stood in a Pepsi Center tunnel with a look of steely focus on his face.
Moments later, the Montezuma-Cortez High School sophomore emerged from the tunnel, tied a red band around his ankle and controlled Dolores Huerta High School’s Zach Zamarippa for six minutes in route to a 9-3 decision victory.
The win was Ramos’ first at the state tournament after the 138-pounder qualified for the first time this year. Ramos finished the season with a 27-19 record overall.
“It was a good season and I definitely improved from beginning to end,” said Ramos. “I like wrestling because I can push myself, and my conditioning can win me matches. I’d like to make it to state again next year.”
With the wrestling season behind him, Ramos will turn to track and field. He qualified for state in the 4x400-meter relay as a freshman and hopes to return this year.
“My goal is to run sub two-minutes in the 800-meter run and sub 52 seconds in the 400-meter dash,” said Ramos. “I think I can make it to state in a relay and maybe the 800.”
Ramos also has excelled as a defensive back for the M-CHS football team. Last season, he ranked as one of M-CHS’s best defensive backs, making 30 tackles, intercepting two passes and forcing one fumble.
Asked what he will remember most about M-CHS’s first trip to the playoffs since 1994, Ramos said that he’d never forget the leadership shown by his senior teammates.
“Our seniors this year were great leaders and they helped us make the playoffs,” he said. “We’re going to miss them next year, but hopefully we will have other players step up.”
When not playing sports, Ramos enjoys math and science classes. He also enjoys video games, his friends and time outdoors.
Ramos said he might be interested in pursuing a career related to math and science.