DENVER
The disappointment and pain radiated out from their eyes.
Neither Colter McMenimen nor Ryan Nava won their third-round consolation match at the CHSAA Class 3A Wrestling State Championships on Saturday, ending Bayfield High School’s stay at the Pepsi Center.
Both of them expected to end the tournament on the podium rather than in a tunnel holding their heads.
Kaleb Hansen of Lamar ended McMenimen’s shot at a second consecutive podium with a 3-2 victory. McMenimen led 2-0 after the second period, but Hansen escaped and took him down to take the lead.
McMenimen thought he pulled a last-second reversal for the win.
The referee disagreed, saying he didn’t have control, and the table backed his decision.
“That’s a judgement call,” BHS head coach Todd McMenimen said. “There’s nothing you can do about it.”
Colter McMenimen placed third at state last year as a sophomore, and he had his sights set higher this season. He still has next year, however, to reach his goal of a state championship.
“It (stinks). I’m frustrated,” said Colter McMenimen, son of Missy and coach McMenimen. “It’s all I can look forward to is coming back next year, coming back stronger – come back knowing what this feels like.”
Nava experienced that disappointment in his freshman season at state.
He trailed Andrew Jaramillo from Platte Valley 3-0 after two periods and was pinned 47 seconds into the third.
“Everything I thought would have worked, didn’t,” said Nava, son of Ramona Nava and Allec Rodriguez. “He adapted to what I was doing, and he took what I gave him.”
For next season, coach McMenimen wants to have more wrestlers in the room. He felt with the small numbers the Wolverines fielded this year, they couldn’t produce the necessary intensity.
“It’s not over until your senior year’s done,” coach McMenimen said. “They’re both young, so they’ve got a chance to improve.”
Reader Comments