DENVER – On the mat with some of the state's best wrestlers, Mancos made an early statement, moving three wrestlers through the opening round of action into the state quarterfinals.
Defending state champion Levi Martin paced the way for the Jays, toppling Clay Crawford from Meeker late in the second period to move one step closer to a repeat title. Yuma’s John Smith will be Martin's opponent in his second match at 126 pounds.
Cole Dainty-Guilfoyle picked up a win in his first state appearance, defeating Limon’s Keon Brady with a pin at 3:15 to advance in the 170 lb. bracket. He will meet Centauri junior Erik Mestas in the quarters.
Sophomore Dillon Eichner also moved on, without breaking a sweat, after receiving a bye into the state quarterfinals. Eichner will face Traven Sharon of Fowler in the round of eight of the 106-pound bracket.
Three other Mancos Bluejays took to the mat on Thursday afternoon on the Ball Arena mats.
Sophomore Isaiah Martinez fell in his match at 113 pounds, and juniors Ayden Mathews and Lane Greenlee also dropped their opening tests at 160 pounds and 195 pounds, respectively. Martinez, Mathews, and Greenlee will get a chance to work their way to the podium through the consolation bracket, as action continues this weekend.
