DENVER – The 2024 wrestling season will be one for the record books across the state, but especially at Mullen high school.

The Mustangs wrestling team not only won its first team title, but it also had its first four-time state champion in school history.

Senior Dale O’Blia joined the Mt. Rushmore of Colorado wrestlers after beating Severance’s Jonathan Morrison in the 120-pound title match at CHSAA's Class 3A Boys Wrestling State Championships Saturday night at Ball Arena.

O’Blia pinned his first three opponents of the tournament, and the senior capped his improbable run by beating Morrison 6-0 to seal the victory.

The two grapplers had a long history of facing off at regional tournaments and also squared off during last year’s 113-pound title state title bout, with O’Blia winning by 17-6 major decision.

“As a little kid I always dreamed of this moment,” O’Blia said. “(Morrison and I) are pretty familiar with each other. He’s a good wrestler.”
Mullen took first with 140.5 points, followed by Brush with 122.5 and Eaton with 119. The Mustangs had seven wrestlers place at state.

“It was something that we talked about all season,” O'Blia said. “We knew we had a deep enough team to make a title run.”

Not to be outdone, sophomore Isaak Chavez (157 pounds) and freshman Champion Dyes (285 pounds) won their first state title. Chavez pinned Valley’s Nehemiah Whaley (3:13) in the title bout, while Dyes won a pinfall against Berthoud’s Donovan Mann.

“We worked hard to get here, I’m glad we got it done,” Dyes said. “I’ve been wrestling my entire life and to win it in my freshman year is unreal.”
Senior Gilbert Antillon (138 pounds) took second in his respective weight classes, while Antonio Herrera (113 pounds) finished fifth, Christopher Smith (165 pounds) and Amani Fugue (215 pounds) each placed sixth.

“I can’t say enough about these guys,” Mullen coach John Howes said. “It’s been an incredible weekend. They deserve it.”

Garza-Alarcon wins 4th state title
Fort Lupton’s D`mitri Garza-Alarcon (138 pounds) became one of the elite wrestlers in the state after reaching the podium for his fourth state wrestling title. It is the first time Fort Lupton has had a four-time state champion.

“I wanted to make history, and I did that,” Garza-Alarcon said. “It’s an honor to be here and join so many great wrestlers.”

Garza-Alarcon defeated Antillon 6-1 decision in the title match.

Uhrig, Rosales Repeat
Gunnison’s Royce Uhrig (150 pounds) and Jefferson’s Samuel Rosales (126 pounds) each defended their state title. Uhrig pinned all four of his opponents at the state tournament on his way to his third consecutive state title.

Uhrig pinned Pueblo Central’s David Sanchez in 1:27 in the title match.

Rosales won state by beating Resurrection Christian Grant Slinkard by 14-3 major decision. Rosales took first in state at 120 pounds in 2023.

VomBauer, Bruno Go Undefeated
At 106 pounds, Severance’s Drake VomBaur (45-0) finished his miraculous freshman season with a perfect 43-0 record. He defeated Eaton’s Blake Hawkins with a 7-3 decision in the title match. It was the second consecutive season that Hawkins finished second at state. He lost with a 7-2 decision to Elizabeth’s Thomas Lewis in 2023.

Brush’s sophomore Ritchie Bruno (29-0) pinned La Junta’s Dilan Ruiz in the 175-pound title bout to cap his perfect season.

Other State Champions

• Jefferson senior Enrique Soto beat Gunnison 15-6 major decision to win the 113-pound title.
• Centauri’s Josh Polkowske (190 pounds) defeated Resurrection Christian’s Isaiah Johnson 8-0 major decision.
• Brush’s Nick Dardanes (132 pounds) and Genaro Pino (165 pounds) of Pueblo Central each won their respective weight classes by pinfall. Dardanes pinned Fort Lupton’s Josiah Gonzales, while Pino pinned Eaton’s Preston Smith.
• Englewood’s Jayce Prante beat Resurrection Christian’s Samuel Stockton in overtime to claim the title at 215 pounds.