Team: Ponderosa Mustangs
Head coach: Tim Ottmann
Wrestlers to watch: Andy Etzen (112), state qualifier at 103
pounds, 27-9; Adam Etzen (130), state qualifier at 119 pounds,
20-13; Jeremie LaFrance (135), Malcolm Havens (215), state
runner-up in 1999, 38-3
Outlook: Ponderosa is used to winning. In fact, the Mustangs
produced back-to-back Class 5A state titles in 1997 and
1998.
However, that run came to an end last year as the Mustangs
practically disappeared from the state tournament. The lone
wrestler advancing to the Class 5A state championships was Malcolm
Havens, a 215-pounder, who lost in the finals to Dusty
Hoffschneider of Columbine.
Havens returns to lead the Mustangs. Joining him are
state-placers Andy Etzen (112) and Adam Etzen (130), who are
expected to be major contributors.
The rest of the squad is relatively new to the varsity ranks.
But if tradition can create success, Ponderosa has plenty to build
on.
Past champions include James O’Leary, Corey McNellis, Chris
McNellis and Scott Frohardt, who wrestles at the U.S. Air Force
Academy and was ranked as high
as 14th nationally last year.
The Mustangs opened the season with a 59-12 win over Highlands
Ranch. But a true test comes prior the Christmas break with a
multiple-state tournament in New Mexico.
“We’re still a little out of shape and have some things to
learn,” Ponderosa coach Tim Ottmann said. “We need to bring our
middle half up and learn not to get into trouble.”
Ponderosa appears strong. But a return to the state title seems
unlikely. However, the Mustangs could be well represented at
state.
Team: Highlands Ranch
Head coach: Alex Cannono
Wrestlers to watch: Victor Hall (112), qualified for state at
103; Jared Heath (189), and Brad Forbush (275)
Outlook: Highlands Ranch seems to be a team searching for an
identity. But the Falcons might be closing in on who they want to
be as Highlands Ranch coach Alex Cannono enters his third
year.
Many wrestlers fostered in the junior program are now reaching
the varsity level. Years of work in the youth feeder program might
start to pay off for the Falcons.
But early success likely will come at the bookends of the lineup
this season.
Victor Hall, a 112-pounder, qualified for the state finals last
year. He spearheads the top of the lineup.
While Jared Heath (189 pounds) and Brad Forbush (heavyweight)
provide depth in the lower weight brackets.
Both wrestlers also started on the football team this season.
Heath played linebacker and fullback, while Forbush, a first team
all-county selection by the Douglas County News-Press, anchored the
offensive linemen.
The pair are the only Falcons wrestlers that remain undefeated
after a season-opening duel with Ponderosa.
In that match, Heath pinned Tony Rapone in 1 minute, 22 seconds,
while Forbush dispatched of David Henry in 3:27.
The Falcons are a young team. Because the football team advanced
to the first round of the 5A playoffs, some wrestlers who also
played football are behind.
“We still have guys who are out of shape, and are trying to
figure out which weight they will be in,” Cannono said. “But we’ll
be all right.”
Team: Chaparral Wolverines
Head coach: Phil Grindrod, first year
Wrestlers to watch: Zack Valdez (103), state qualifier at 103
pounds; Kevin Selby (119), Kevin Woolf (125), state qualifier;
Casey Love (130), state qualifier; Ryan McNerney, (heavyweight),
state qualifier at heavyweight.
Outlook: About three weeks ago, most wrestlers at Chaparral High
School heard the shocking news. The team’s new coach, Troy Rutz,
was let go after two weeks of practice. Chaparral athletics
director Ed Stevens hired Phil Grindrod to fill the
vacancy.
Grindrod previously worked as an assistant coach at Dakota Ridge
High School before coming to Chaparral as an assistant. Last
season, Lou Sondergroth held the head coaching position.
Sondergroth, a former world class Olympic wrestler who coached at
the national level, departed for personal reasons.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity,” Grindrod said.
“There’s a lot of talent here and the wrestlers are responding
well. At the same time, I’m nervous and scared, too, because I’m a
rookie head coach, but I’m having a great time.”
With four state qualifiers back, the Wolverines have loads of
talent, but the transition to a new coach might take time. And
making the move from Class 4A to 5A also could be a
factor.
Still, the foundation for success is set. The Wolverines could
catch the competition napping.
“We’re going to surprise some people this year,” Grindrod said.
“I shouldn’t be telling you that because then it wouldn’t be a
surprise, but we are looking pretty good.”
Team: Douglas County Huskies
Head coach: Chris Irwin, second year
Wrestlers to watch: Jon Nunley (103); Nate Robinson (112); Mike
Joslin (145); Josh Koltz (152), two-time state qualifier; Jimmy
Cottrell (215)
Outlook: It might not be visible, but wrestlers at Ponderosa
have a huge bulls-eye, and Douglas County is putting it there. The
Huskies already are talking about a rematch of last year’s duel,
which Ponderosa won to claim the Continental League
title.
The teams don’t meet until Feb. 1, but the Huskies are
salivating.
“We’re wrestling really strong,” Douglas County coach Chris
Irwin said. “We have some athletes on a good weight program, and we
are focused thoughout. We’re gunning for Ponderosa.”
Douglas County graduated two wrestlers from last season’s team,
which placed second in league. The Huskies beat ThunderRidge 52-15
in the opening duel of the year.
Arapahoe didn’t fair much better, losing 52-17
Thursday.
Irwin, a second-year coach, worked as an assistant at Douglas
County before being promoted to head coach. In high school, Irwin
was a California state runner-up. Afterward, he wrestled at the
University of Northern Colorado, placing third regionally at 177
pounds.
Not since the early 1990s has wrestling been this strong at
Douglas County.
Irwin said positive reinforcement and communication helped turn
things around.
“I’m a real strong motivator,” Irwin said. “I try to be
innovative and get them fired up. Coaches also have to know when
the teaching moment is best.”
Leading the Huskies is two-time state qualifier Josh Koltz
(152). Soccer players John Nunley (103) and Mike Joslin (145) are
expected to contend.
Team: ThunderRidge Grizzlies
Head coach: Bob Nelson
Wrestlers to watch: Adam Neumeyer (112); Jesus Solis (125); Dan
Bisbee (140); Andy Baker (145); Eric Gibbons (189)
Outlook: The Grizzlies will make the jump from Class 4A to 5A
this year, and even though that can be a tough jump for some teams,
the Grizzlies should be ready for it.
Head coach Bob Nelson helped build Highlands Ranch into a 5A
contender before taking over the program at ThunderRidge. This year
he has some top talent to work with.
“We like the jump to 5A because it is easier to find good
competition in the metro area in 5A,” Nelson said. “Last year we
had to travel for good meets and duals.”
Adam Neumeyer is the top returner for the team. Last year he
advanced to the state finals and placed fifth at 119
pounds.
But Neumeyer is not the only one who is expected to do well this
year. Joining him on the mat are Dan Bisbee, Jesus Solis, Andy
Baker, Eric Gibbons and a host of young wrestlers.
The Grizzlies started the season with a lot of matches and will
rest up a little before the break and look to come back
strong.
During the first two weeks, Nelson said the Grizzlies matched up
well against average and above-average teams but have struggled
against top-flight teams.
“Our room is a lot tougher than it’s been in the past,” Nelson
said. “But we are still not with the top teams in the state
yet.”
After the break the team will meet Dakota Ridge at the Dakota
Ridge Tournament. The Grizzlies will work on getting shape and
getting some rest from the tough two weeks and have set a goal of
finishing in the top five of the league.