After sending three wrestlers to the tournament, placing one individual on the podium and finishing 30th as a team, the Bears certainly accomplished their goal.
Brandon Ward finishes third
After an inconsistent freshman season, Dolores High School sophomore Brandon Ward began this year as somewhat of an unknown.
After winning five of his six matches at the state tournament and finishing third overall in the 106-pound division, Ward concluded his season as the Bears' most successful wrestler.
Competing with third place on the line against Merino High School's Trevor Elliot (32-9), Ward battled from start to finish en route to a 2-1 overtime victory on Feb. 21.
By the time the marathon match was over, both wrestlers were visibly tired. Ward couldn't help but smile, however, as the significance of his accomplishment sank in.
"My season started off a little bit shaky," said Ward. "I went to Montrose and went two-and-out. The next weekend, we had off, and I guess it did me good because I placed second in Page (Ariz.), and everything took off from there."
Ward came through with one of his finest performances of the season in his final match, which was tied 1-1 at the end of the third period.
Ward and Elliot battled to a stalemate during the first three overtime periods. In the fourth, ultimate, overtime, Elliot was given the choice of beginning on the top or bottom because he had scored the first point of the match.
Elliot chose to begin the ultimate overtime on the bottom, but because he was unable to escape Ward's grasp within 30 seconds, Ward was awarded the victory.
"Brandon had never been to ultimate overtime, so he didn't really know what it entailed," said Dolores head coach Leo Garand. "He had to hold on for 30 seconds, and not only did he hold on, but there were two times that he almost had (Elliot) on his back."
Before defeating Elliot, Ward followed up an opening-round loss to Hoyoke High School's Eric Rojo before defeating Rye's Colton Sims, Centauri's Kord Howsman, Hotchkiss' Colton Cordova and Rojo.
Ward finished his season 31-12. He said he plans to continue improving in hopes of placing higher at next year's state tournament.
"My goal for next year is to place better than I did this year," Ward said.
Wallace competes in first state tourney
After narrowly missing out on a trip to the state tournament as a junior, the Bears' 145-pound Guy Wallace ended his senior season with one win and two losses at the state tournament.
Wallace opened the tournament with a 10-4 loss to Lyons High School's Kanyon Raper before pinning McClave High School's Dayton Garcia in the second round.
"I've got to win the next one, that's all," Wallace said after his match. "Wrestling is all about technique, so I have to keep my technique strong."
Unfortunately for Wallace, the next match didn't go as planned, and he dropped a 4-2 decision to Norwood/Nucla High School's Trenton Armintrout and was eliminated.
With the loss, Wallace finished the season with a 33-15 record, and made an impression on his coach.
"Guy didn't start wrestling until high school, and for him to do what he did against lifetime wrestlers was great," said Garand. "Guy was always an extremely hard worker, and we're going to miss him in the room next year."
Hackney gains valuable experience
Rounding out the Bears competitors at the state tournament was 113-pound freshman Austin Hackney, who lost to Peyton High School's Jack Kelly 20-5, and Burlington's Logan Durham 11-3.
Hackney competed hard at the tournament and gained valuable experience.
"Austin went out and wrestled really well," said Garand. "He was in it until the very end. You've got to love that out of a first-year wrestler."
Hackney finished his first season at 12-18 and vowed to improve before the start of next season.
"(The state tournament) was fun, and it gives me a lot more experience," said Hackney. "I'm going to practice football over the summer and go to wrestling camp. I'll come back even better next year."
