DENVER – Cherokee Trail’s Derek Glenn Jr. is looking for a little redemption at the 2022 state wrestling tournament, and in the process is looking to make a little program history.
The senior advanced to the 120-pound 5A finals Friday evening inside Ball Arena, the third finals of his career. Glenn Jr. won one of two of Cherokee Trail’s first ever individual titles at the 2020 tournament as a sophomore. Then at last year’s tournament, he finished runner-up to three-time champion Kenny Sailas of Brighton. Now on Saturday in the finals, he has a chance to become the Cougars’ first ever two-timer.
“It’s pretty awesome,” Glenn Jr. exclaimed. “A lot of people don’t get the opportunity to do this so it’s special. I was fortunate enough to be the program’s first, so why not be the first two-timer.”
Glenn Jr., who owns a sterling 46-4 record on the season, hasn’t seen his chance at a third shot at a title come easy. After a first period pin in his opening match, he narrowly defeated Tony Garcia Lopez of Poudre in the quarterfinals by a 4-3 decision, a second period takedown being the difference. Then in the semis, he grinded out a solid win over Monarch’s Brayden Legge by a 9-4 decision to punch his ticket to the finals against Ponderosa’s Jacob Myers.
“He’s just been so incredible, he’s been so committed,” head coach Jeff Buck said. “Last season he lost a tough one to Sailas in the last seconds and he’s been hungry ever since. He’s put in the work you have to put in the offseason. He’s on a mission, and I know he’ll be ready to go tomorrow night and he’s going to put it all out there.”
Prairie View’s Vigil also looking to make program history
Not to be outdone, Prairie View’s Ane`e Vigil is also looking to become his program’s first ever two-timer. The junior won the 106-pound championship last season, and has made the finals in the 113-pound bracket this season. Vigil is 37-4 on the season and will matchup with Ralston Valley’s Lincoln Gregersen.
Gregerson trying to become Ralston Valley’s first
Standing in the way of Vigil will be Ralston Valley sophomore Lincoln Gregerson, who will be looking to become Ralston Valley’s first ever individual boys wrestling champion. Gregerson is 44-7 on the season.
Four-timer clocks may start Saturday
Three freshman have made the 5A finals, and with wins would start a potential four-timer clock. At 106-pounds, it is Chaparral’s Declan Strait, 126 Poudre’s Billy Greenwood, and 145 Ponderosa’s Tyler Eise. Billy is the younger brother of Colorado four-timer Jacob Greenwood.
All in the family for Adams City
Standing in Eise’s way is Adams City’s Levi Deaguero, who hails from one of the dynasties of Colorado wrestling. The Deaguero family has combined to win 10 Colorado state wrestling titles all-time, with Gary (1), TJ (2), Jared (2), Joey (3), and Scott Hewitt (2) all winning at least one.
Cardenas, two other Panthers, in hunt for multiple titles
Daniel Cardenas has the potential to add to Colorado wrestling history tomorrow as a potential four-time champion. The Panther is a perfect 40-0 on the season and has three pins on his way to another final. Joining him on his team as potential repeat champions are Jacob Romero and Elijah Olguin, who would both become two-timers.
Ponderosa leads team title chase
In what might come as a surprise to some inside Ball Arena, Ponderosa had a steady lead in the team race with 199 points. Three-time defending champion Pomona is second with 161.5, while Monarch is third with 100.5.
Defending champions still in the mix
| Potential Four-Time Champions |
| Daniel Cardenas, Sr., Pomona, 5A 152 |
| Brady Hankin, Sr., Woodland Park, 3A 138 |
| Potential Three-Time Champions |
| Kobi Johnson, Sr., Loveland, 4A 120 |
| Roberto Estrada, Sr., Weld Central, 3A 120 |
| Angelo Lozado, Sr., Jefferson, 3A 126 |
| Potential Two-Time Champions |
| Ane'e Vigil, Jr., Prairie View, 5A 113 |
| Derek Glenn Jr., Sr., Cherokee Trail, 5A 120 |
| Jakob Romero, Jr., Pomona, 5A 126 |
| Elijah Olguin, Sr., Pomona, 5A 132 |
| Jackzen Rairdon, So., Thompson Valley, 4A 113 |
| Dominic Hargrove, Sr., Discovery Canyon, 4A 132 |
| Weston Dalton, Jr., Pueblo East, 4A 145 |
| Ryan Vigil, Sr., Broomfield, 4A 152 |
| Nico Gagliardi, Sr., Cheyenne Mountain, 4A 195 |
| Xavier Freeman, Sr., Pueblo East, 4A 220 |
| Matthew Moore, Jr., Mesa Ridge, 4A 285 |
| Dale O'Blia, So., Mullen, 3A 106 |
| D'mitri Garza-Alarcon, So., Fort Lupton, 3A 138 |
| Zach Marrero, Jr., Strasburg, 3A 145 |
| Ryan Dirksen, Sr., Eaton, 3A 170 |
| Caleb Camp, So., Buena Vista, 2A 113 |
| Lane Hunsberger, Sr., Cedaredge, 2A 126 |
| Brady Collins, Jr., Wray, 2A 132 |
| Lain Yapoujan, Jr., Byers, 2A 138 |
| Zach Tittle, Sr., Highland, 2A 145 |
| Eyan Chavez, Sr., Centauri, 2A 152 |
| Remington Peterson, Sr., Rye, 2A 195 |
| Laith Ibrahim, Jr., Wiggins, 2A 285 |