Columbine stakes claim to girls wrestling Jeffco League title

CONIFER — More than likely Chatfield and Pomona will be battling it out for the Class 5A girls wrestling team title at Ball Arena in a few weeks, but Thursday night at Conifer High School belonged to Columbine.

The Rebels put up 164 team points, which included Columbine claiming three individual titles with Halo MacMillan (115 pounds), Mady MacMillan (130 pounds) and Makena Heston (135 pounds) all victorious in their title bouts up the hill in Conifer.

Littleton (123.5 points) and Standley Lake (119.5 points) finished second and third, respectively. Chatfield (115 points) and Pomona (107 points) didn’t have it full team wrestle at the league championship tournament as everyone gears up for regionals tournaments Feb. 13 and 14.

“It’s really cool because we started with just 13 girls my freshman year. Now we have near 30,” Heston said of the Rebels winning the team title. “We’ve grown so much as a team and gotten so much better over the season as well. I’m so proud of the team. We’ve done so well this year.”

Heston is currently the top-ranked 5A girls wrestler at 135 pounds, along with being a returning state champion. The senior, who just signed to wrestling at Bethany College in West Virginia, made quick work of her opponents Thursday night. 

Heston got three first-period pins at the 38, 39 and 38 second marks to cruise to her second individual league championship. Heston now turns her attention to regionals next weekend before the 3-day state tournament Feb. 19-21 at Ball Arena in Denver.

“A little, but I know everyone who I’ll be going against,” Heston said being nervous trying to become a 2-time individual state champion. “It will just be fun. I’ll get to see all my friends again, we’ll all be together. I’m really excited.”

Pomona senior Timberly Martinez was just as dominating as Heston. Martinez — 3-time individual state champion — spent just over two minutes on the mat for her three first-period pins in winning the 155-pound title.

“A little nerves, but that just comes with the sport,” Martinez said after repeating as in individual Jeffco League champion. “I felt really confident.”

Pomona won the team title last year. It was the second year that Jeffco has had a girls wrestling tournament to determine a league championship and the league’s all-conference wrestlers. 

For Martinez, her prep journey is nearing an end after having the front-row seat to how much girls wrestling has grown in Colorado. She just signed with Western Colorado University in Gunnison where she will continue her wrestling career.

“I still feel like I’m that little 14-year-old girl freshman. Here with all the older girls,” Martinez said when asked about her four years wrestling at Pomona. “I don’t believe that I’m almost done. It feels weird.”

Martinez has a chance to join former teammate Persaeus Gomez as a 4-time state champion in a few weekends. Gomez completed her four straight individual state titles in 2024.

“It would mean a lot to bring it back to Pomona and the community,” Martinez said of having the chance to join the select 4-timer group. “Obviously Persaeus did it and I want to continue to follow that lead.”

On Martinez’s heels is teammate Justice Gutierrez. The junior already has a pair of individual state titles and is ranked No. 1 at 100 pounds. Gutierrez went 3-0 Thursday night with all first-period pins to win the lightest weight class title.

“That would be amazing to have it in back-to-back years,” Martinez said of Gutierrez with the chance to become a 4-timer next year. “We have put in so much work all throughout the year. We aren’t the same size, but we both still have that same heart and love for the sport. I’m so happy to have her by my side on this journey.”

Martinez does have three losses on the season and currently Brighton’s Matilda Hruby is ranked ahead of Martinez at 155 pounds in 5A. However, Martinez is blocking out any outside noise as she goes after history.

“My main focus is going in there and believing in myself and being confident in myself no matter what anyone else thinks,” Martinez said. “It’s what in my head, not in anyone else’s.”

On the 4A side heading to state, Conifer and Evergreen both have some potential state champions that won individual league titles Thursday. Conifer’s Penny Dickinson took a 16-9 victory over Columbine’s Lee Liberton in the 145-pound title bout.

Evergreen matched Columbine and Pomona with three individual league champions. Alyssa Diflumeri (125), Margaret Burrier (140) and Valancia Bentrott (190) all walked way with titles for the Cougars. Burrier and Bentrott are both ranked No. 2 in their 4A weight classes.