DENVER It was a struggle. But Wyatt Wade still brought home a fourth-place medal from the Class 2A State Wrestling Tournament.
After his final match on Saturday at the Pepsi Center, Wade echoed a previous statement.
Its been a rough season.
The junior battled to the very end, but Ramon Tarin from Wray won by pin with just two seconds remaining in the match.
Using a quick reversal, Wade cut Tarins lead to 5-4 in the second and tied the score with an escape. After falling behind 7-5, Wade again scored an escape but Tarin darted in and eventually scored the pin.
Wade, who discovered a few weeks ago that he has diabetes, has struggled for much of this season. The delicate blood sugar balance problems helped contribute to 12 loses in the regular season.
The blood sugar problem, which can sap Wades energy, if its pout of balance, was a factor at state as well.
Wrestling at 126 pounds, Wade lost his first-round match on Thursday. The 10-3 loss to Andrew Valdez of Swink dropped Wade out of the running for the title.
Last year, he placed second at 112.
Using his state experience and a determined effort, Wade bounced back with four wins to fight his way into the third-place match.
In the third-place semifinal, Wade had the rare opportunity to avenge his first-round loss.
Again facing Valdez, Wade scraped to a 3-2 victory.
At the end of the match, Wade pumped his fist in the air.
That was good, to beat the guy who beat me earlier, Wade said. That felt good.
After wrestling for a state title the year before, Wade couldnt hide his disappointment. The referee slapped the mat, Wade rolled over and pounded the mat in frustration.
After leaving the competition area, Wade slumped to the floor and was joined by his coach Dean Valdez.
Wade was the only Dolores wrestler who made it into medal contention.
Senior Wyatt Wallace won his first round match at 160 pounds. But he lost his next two matches to be eliminated. Wyatt Mattausch (132) and Richard Belt (220) also won one match each at the tournament.
The 126-pound finals turned out to the one of the best matches of the tournament.
Three-time state champ Alex Pena was upset by Robert Darnell of Holy to deny the Ignacio senior his quest for a fourth title.