Cortez Middle School wrestling coach Thad Koppenhafer got what he wanted out of regionals. Four of five Jaguars qualified for state.
Eighth-grader Segar Oliver took first-place at 140 pounds to lead the way Saturday in Grand Junction at Mesa State College.
Oliver returns to the state tournament where he finished fourth a year ago. But he wants to end his middle school career a state champion.
Segar looked really good. He was wrestling well. No one really challenged him, and he was in control of each one of his matches, Koppenhafer said. Segar has set his sites on winning the state tournament. Were hoping he can pull that off. Getting in that championship match would be great. Winning is just icing on the cake.
The state tournament is Saturday in Denver at the National Western Stock Show Complex.
Colton Reynolds, 75 pounds; Parker Oliver, 95 pounds; and Levi Gross, 105 pounds; are the other state qualifiers.
Reynolds and Gross are back in the state tournament after their third- and fifth-place finishes at regionals.
Levi and Colton were at the state tournament last year. They know the level of wrestling theyll expect out there, Koppenhafer said.
This is Parker Olivers first state tournament appearance. He took fourth at regionals.
Reynolds, Gross and Parker Oliver all lost early and wrestled back through the consolation bracket to make state.
Reach Bobby Abplanalp at bobbya@cortezjournal.com.