In the weeks leading up to the Class 2A state tournament in Denver, Feb. the Dove Creek High School wrestling team made no secret that it was gunning for top finishes.
Although the Bulldogs did not win any individual state titles, the team departed the Pepsi Center somewhat pleased with their results after placing two of its three state-qualifying wrestlers on the podium.
Baughman places third in stacked weight-class
Kicking off the third day of the state tournament on the morning of Feb. 21 with a match against Fowler High School’s Drew Corsentino (35-9), Dove Creek sophomore Case Baughman (41-10) fought his way to an 8-4 decision victory.
After the first period ended with the score tied 2-2, Baughman fell behind 3-2 in the second period before regaining control with a reversal that put him ahead 4-3 entering the third.
Baughman then asserted himself in the match’s final period after escaping and scoring a reversal early in the final period.
Roughly three hours after his victory over Corsentino, Baughman returned to action against Monte Vista High School’s Joes Duran (39-7) with third place on the line.
After falling behind 2-0 in the first period, Baughman used a strong second period to move ahead 6-2 before scoring two more points in the third to secure an 8-3 victory.
“Case showed a lot of resiliency,” said Dove Creek head coach Shane Baughman. “He was in a tough weight class, but he’s had that all year. He’s having state champ after state champ.”
By virtue of his third place finish, Baughman will have the opportunity to climb onto the state podium on the evening of Feb. 21.
Randolph finishes fourth in the state
After winning two of his first three matches of the state tournament, Dove Creek senior Chance Randolph won one of two matches on Feb. 21 and finished fourth in the 138-pound division of the Class 2A state tournament.
Randolph opened the day with a 9-4 decision victory over Norwood/Nucla High School’s Aiden Dabel (33-15) before dropping a 7-4 decision to Peyton High School’s Britton Holmes (35-7).
Randolph fell behind Holmes 5-0 after being slammed to the ground in the first period of their match. Although Randolph did his best to come back over the next four minutes he was unable to do so.
“I was proud of Chance because he battled real hard in that second and third period,” said Baughman. “He got caught for five points in that period on an illegal slam that didn’t get called. It’s very hard to come back from a 5-0 deficit at this level.”
Hobbs falls one win shy of the podium
Wrestling his lone match of the day on Feb. 21, Bulldogs 106-pound junior Colin Hobbs (33-10) dropped a 5-3 decision to Merino High School’s Trevor Elliot (33-9).
Hobbs nearly pinned Elliot in the second period and led 3-0 entering the third, but was unable to hold on for the win.
“Colin never caught his stride,” said Shane Baughman. “He’s beaten a lot of kids who placed. It’s just on one those cases where he got nerved up, guess.”
