Action begins today at Denver Pepsi Center. Let’s meet the competitors:
Wesley Van Matre 132# 2A Region 2 Regional Champion
As a returning state champion, sophomore Wesley ‘AJ’ VanMatre isn’t new to the game. He wrestled as a Misfit and was regional champ with a 31-1 record. He finished third at state, completing his middle school career. Last season, Van Matre was 8-1 going into Regionals, took first and wrestled his way to the state championship at 113 pounds. He has been wrestling for ten years and has a wealth of experience. ‘AJ’ has been ranked number one in the state this season with a 21-3 record which is not indicative of his ability. His losses came at the hands of a 6A Texas state and national champion, the New Mexico state champ, and the #1 ranked 3A Colorado wrestler. He defeated Brett Benavedias who was ranked #2 to win the Region. Another state title by Van Matre would be his next step toward becoming a four-time champion. He is the son of Wesley and Sara Lynn Van Matre.
Anthony Aldretti #138 2A Region 2 Regional Champion
Anthony Aldretti, a freshman, is no newcomer to the sport of wrestling. Having wrestled in Misfits for several years and gaining success as a middle school state placer, Aldretti already has seen success atop the podium throughout this season. His 30-10 record shows he is learning the techniques of high school wrestling and has come on powerfully in the past six weeks. Aldretti placed third at the Delta Invitational, first at the Pete and Ina Gomez Invite, fourth at Alamosa, and is the Santa Fe League champion and now regional champ. Several of his losses came at the Conflict at Cleveland where he faced several wrestlers from Texas and New Mexico, many of whom were state qualifiers and ranked opponents. Aldretti dedicated the rest of the season to his grandfather who passed away the week before Regionals. He hopes to become only the third freshman from John Mall to be a state champ. Anthony is the son of Krissie and Antone Aldretti.
Trystan Estrada 145# 2A Region 2 Regional Champion
John Mall senior Trystan Estrada 22-10 gained experience wrestling in elementary school “Misfits” and in middle school. As a 132# freshman, his best finish was third at the John Mall JV tournament. In 2015, Estrada placed fifth at Regionals, missing a wrestle-back opportunity for state. As a 145# sophomore he wrestled the best of his career. He placed third at the Savage Invitational and third at the Pete and Ina Gomez Tournament. Last season, Estrada came alive, finishing second at Regionals. This season will be his last hope to place at state. He stood atop the winner’s platform as first at the Pete and Ina Tournament, the best of his season and had fifth place finishes at the Delta and Valley Classics. This will be his second trip to state. Estrada is the son of Barbara Trujillo and Ray Estrada.
Nick Griego 170# 2A Region 2 Regional Champion
Last season, Nick Griego missed out winning the Region only to finish second. This year, a revitalized Griego set his goal to take the Region. He accomplished that goal by beating Thomas Goeritz in the semifinals with an 11-7 decision and Aaron Anderson in the finals. A JMHS junior, Griego at 14-13 will make his third run at State beginning today. For the past two years he failed to advance to the placement rounds. Last season, he was one win away from placing. Griego’s season record of 14-13 is not reflective of his abilities. This season, Nick has placed sixth in two tournaments. He wrestled in several tough tournaments. Many of his losses came by the hands of 3-4A wrestlers and several he would not meet until state. To advance at beyond the first round at State, Griego must continue the aggressive style he displayed at the Regional tournament. Nick is the son of Nick Griego and Rose Valdez.
Jesus Diaz 170# 3A Region 4 Second Place
Jesus Diaz, a junior at Trinidad High, will make his third appearance at state today. He qualified by finishing second at Regionals after getting pinned by Keaton Green of Florence in 3:39. He finished the regular season at 17-8. At state, he will continue to meet stiff competition in his first round, likely a top-4 seed. Diaz has wrestled since his middle school days where he placed in many tournaments. This season Diaz placed third at the Peyton Invitational, first at the Pete and Ina Gomez tournament, first at the Savage Invite and fifth at the Gene Gagilardi – Miner tournament. While his record is deceiving, look for Diaz to come out strong, hoping to overcome his disappointing performance last year in Denver. At state in 2017, Diaz won his first match before losing in the quarterfinals. He then was 2-2 at state and was eliminated in the consolation round. Diaz has the potential to strike from anywhere on the floor and slap a pin on his unsuspecting opponents. Look for Diaz to be a top six placer. He is the son of Maria Olivas.
Dylan Crump Heavyweight 2A Region 2 Second Place
Dylan Crump, a senior will make his third trip to state with big plans of advancing beyond the first two rounds. Crump has been wrestling for four years and plans on placing high at state. He has been to state three of those years. As a freshman, Crump qualified and made the trip to State only to be eliminated after two rounds. In 2016, he missed qualifying, finishing fifth in the region. Last season, Crump displayed a tough and aggressive attitude against his competition, taking third in the region. This is a whole new season with a stronger attitude. Crump placed in several tournaments, including fourth at Delta, second at the Pete and Ina, fourth at Alamosa, and third at the Santa Fe League. His 17-15 record does not reflect his ability. Crump has come on strong and his positive attitude and desire to win could propel him far at State. There, everyone’s record is 0-0, and there his quest begins. Crump is the grandson of Kathy Tatman.
Travis Vialpando 120# 2A Region 2 Third Place
For John Mall freshman Travis Vialpando, participating at the 2018 State High School Wrestling Tournament is a dream come true. Travis grew up in wrestling, being the son of the Panther coach. Throughout middle school he claimed many tournaments and now is eager to show his skills at the next level. Vialpando finished third at both the Delta and the Pete and Ina Gomez Invitationals and fourth at the Valley Classic. His 21-16 record does not reflect his true talent, as he lost many of those 16 matches against upper classmen from the 3A-4A ranks as well as top wrestlers from Texas and New Mexico. Vialpando shows much raw talent and, should he overcome the freshman nerves, he chould place at Denver this weekend. Travis is the son of Josh and Jennifer Vialpando.
Alberto Felthager 106# 3A Region 4 Fourth Place
Mighty Miner Alberto Felthager could be the first Miner to stand atop the Championship podium in several years this weekend. He completed the regular season with a 33-5 record and has been ranked #2 for most of the season. Felthager has championship medals from Peyton, The Pete and Ina Gomez Tournament at John Mall, the Savage, and the Gene Gagliardi tournaments. He also finished third at the Mel Smith Invite and at the Robertson Classic, where his three losses were at the hands of the Texas and New Mexico defending champions. Felthager struggled at Region, losing a disappointing semifinal round loss to Brendan Johnston of The Classical Academy in an 8-1 decision. Felthager was disqualified in his match for fourth place, but fortunately, he was not a victim of a wrestle back match, having defeated the fifth place opponent earlier in the day. Alberto is the grandson of Marlene Aragon and Ernie Maldonado.
Miguel Sanchez 120# 2A Region 2 Fourth Place
Miguel Sanchez began wrestling at the age of four and has enjoyed continued success. As a middle schooler, he was a state placer. Now, as a freshman, Sanchez amassed a 15-20 record and fourth place at regionals, good enough to qualify for a trip to state. At regions, he lost his quarter final match only to come back and win his next two matches. Along the way, he defeated Riley Prichard, who finished fifth. There would not be a chance for him to force a wrestle back, giving Sanchez the ticket to Denver. Sanchez completed a tough season, not having placed at any tournament. However, his matches at The Conflict at Cleveland were against wrestlers from Texas and New Mexico, as well as multiple competitors from the 3A-4A, gave him the confidence to meet any wrestler. Miguel is the son of Max and Krissy Sanchez
Kaleb Rehm #182 2A Region 2 4th Place
Panther sophomore Kaleb Rehm began wrestling three years ago and has shown much improvement. Last season, he missed qualifying for the state tournament, placing sixth at the Regional tournament. He wrestled at 170 pounds this season with his highest finish, a fifth at the Delta Panther Invitational. Both Rehm and teammate Nick Griego wrestle at 170. Since John Mall had no athletes at 182, Rehm filled in and was bumped up to 182 pounds to accommodate the brackets. With only six competitors, Rehm’s chances were good for a trip to state. The move paid off. Rehm wrestled for third place, losing his match, and the wrestle back rule did not apply, sending Rehm to his first state championship tournament. While he has no experience at 182, he could be a dark horse and needs to rely on his speed to overcome the size differential. Rehm is the son of Jay and Katie Sporcich and Christian and Lesley Rehm.
Caleb Armijo #220 3A Region 4 Fourth Place
Caleb Armijo, a junior at Trinidad, will make his first appearance at the state tournament today. He qualified for fourth place at regionals after losing on a technical fall to Perrion Gray of Sheridan. Earlier in the tournament, Armijo defeated Lorenzo Vasquez of Ft. Lupton, so there was no opportunity for a wrestle back, enabling him to make the trip to Denver. Armijo had success atop the podium wrestling in the championships at Peyton and at the Pete and Ina Gomez tournaments, finishing both times in second place. He placed sixth at the Savage tournament last month. He has also had three dual wins. Armijo will enter state as the #12 seed. With his happy-go-lucky attitude, having first time jitters in the “Big Show” would seem foreign. He treats every match equally. Caleb is the son of Brett Armijo and Jazelle Felthager.
