EXCEL WRESTLING NEWS

Wyoming & Colorado Excel Junior Olympic Program Wrestlers Finish Strong Seasons February came quickly this year as many wrestlers in the Wyoming and Colorado Junior Olympic Programs saw great success at their high school state tournaments. The following is for the 2006-2007 record book on the high school level in Colorado and Wyoming. The Colorado program carried about 40 high school wrestlers this season and 23 qualified for state. Of those 23 qualifiers, 14 placed in the top six, 9 were in the State finals and 6 were crowned Colorado State Champions. The Wyoming Team Excel JOP continues to be small, but mighty. On the high school level, again this year, there was several outstanding performances. Four wrestlers from the program placed at the Wyoming HS State tournament. Jared Hatley of Torrington won his third Wyoming State title going undefeated this season, 44-0. This spring, Jared won his 3rd Wyoming Triple Crown and placed 2nd at the USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals. Congratulations to all the Wyoming and Colorado wrestlers and their families. Other Wyoming state place finishers were: Kyle Brightman, Cheyenne Central, State runner up at 171lbs., senior Dane Griggs, Torrington, 3rd place at 152lbs., senior Hayden Jones, Cheyenne Central, 5th place at 140lbs., freshman Colorado Results: Excel Senior State Place finishers David Marone - A special congratulations to David Marone! David was actually one of our very first Excel wrestlers, 10 years ago and has been in our program for a very long time. He recently signed with Virginia Tech. Tim Frank - It's been fun for me to watch this guy improve over the years and see how hard work pays off. Way to go Tim. Tim's on his way to Wartburg College in Iowa. Cody Cole - Another die hard Excel guy. Cody drove every Sunday from Brush to be at our practices. His dedication and hard work paid off for him. Congratulations Cody. He's on his way to wrestle for Western State. Brandon Doyle - Two time finalist, something to be proud of. Congratulations Brandon. Brandon is still undecided where he will wrestle next year. Joe O'Farrell - Another Excel guy who's done a lot of improving in a short period of time. Congratulations Joe. He's on his way to wrestle for the University of Wyoming. Nic Johnson - Always enjoyed working with Nic, amazingly technical wrestler with a bright future. Way to go Nic. Nic is undecided as to where he plans to attend college right now. COLORADO STATE QUALIFIERS, PLACE FINISHERS, RUNNERS UP AND CHAMPIONS 2A Chad Stroh - 112lbs., Holyoke, State Runner up Dillon McCombs - 112lbs., Wiggins, State qualifier Tyler Davis - 152lbs., Wiggins, State qualifier 3A Jake Eitzen - 112lbs., Estes Park, 6th place Cody Cole - 119lbs., Brush, State Champion Dan Frank - 125lbs., Roosevelt, State Champion Tim Frank - 152lbs., Roosevelt, State Champion Joe O'Farrell - 189lbs., Univ. Lab, State Runner up 4A Nick Ludwig - 125lbs., Berthoud, 6th place Riley Lindemann - 130lbs., Niwot, State qualifier James Harvey - 130lbs., Eagle Valley, 3rd place Jeff Lambert - 135lbs., Niwot, State qualifier Sam VanHorn - 160lbs., Thompson Valley, State qualifier David Marone - 215lbs., Broomfield, State Champion 5A Shane Story - 103lbs., Poudre, State qualifier Phillip Grout - 112lbs., Northglenn, State Champion Tyler Graff - 130lbs., Loveland, State Champion (3rd State Championship) Joshua Gutierrez - 135lbs., Legacy, State qualifier Greg Padilla - 140lbs., Rocky Mountain, State qualifier Nic Johnson - 145lbs., Monarch, 3rd place Adam Katz - 160lbs., Boulder, 6th place Brandon Doyle - 160lbs., Poudre, State Runner up Clay Roth - 171lbs., Poudre, State qualifier