With the winter break finally at an end, wrestling programs from around the state took to the mats in a big way last week.

A number of tournaments took place over the weekend, the start of the build toward next month’s postseason. From the Colfax Smackdown Duals tournament, to the Doc Buchanan Invitational in California, events ran the gamut of size and teams involved.

Brighton’s boys and girls teams showcased its depth to capture tournament titles. The boys claimed the Arnold “Torgy” Torgerson Memorial in Fort Collins on Jan. 4 behind eight placers, with the girls winning the Arvada Invitational thanks to seven top-four placers.

Brighton’s boys were ranked ninth in Class 5A going into the winter break, with the girls ranked seventh.

While new team and individual rankings were not released coming out of the break, that will change headed into next week’s events.

Here is a quick look back at a few of the tournaments from the first week of the year:

Boys

Arnold “Torgy” Torgerson Memorial

Brighton’s 193 points were just enough to edge Windsor at 188. Roosevelt, on the strength of five individual champions, took third with 169 points.

Brighton’s Braaden Heinz (126 pounds), Ethan BravoPacker (150) and Taylor Hruby (285) each came away atop their respective weight classes. Windsor had four first-place finishes in Maddox Lechman (113), Robert Kendall (165), Santi Fernandez (175) and Evan Perez (215), placing eight in the top four. Roosevelt’s Kash Long (120), Travis Long (132), Malakii Martin (138), Chris LaLonde (144) and Michael Garcia (190) each won their weight class.

Arvada Invitational

Loveland topped a Pomona squad that also had some competitors in California for the Doc Buchanan. The Red Wolves notched 223.5 points, with Pomona not far behind at 208.

Like Brighton, Loveland won on the strength of its team performance. The squad had only two first-place finishes in Cade Stoll (113 pounds) and Christian Carroll (138), but the Red Wolves placed 11 overall.

Pomona’s Zavin Capps (120), Carlos Rojas (132), Rylan Berger (150), Tyler Capps (157) and Maxx Cajardo (165) each finished first.

Niwot Invitational

Mountain View finished atop the team standings by the slimmest of margins, holding off Valley by a ½ point at Niwot.

Mountain View’s 177.5 points were just enough, followed by Valley at 177, Erie at 165.5 and Palisade at 156.

The Mountain Lions won three titles, backed by Isaiah Harrison (120), Diego Serio (132) and Tristan Gilbert (165). Valley had one first-place finish in Nehemiah Whaley (157), but had three second-place honors.

Erie’s Hunter Waneka (150) and Carson Hageman (190) were first, as was Palisade’s Kadin Mulford (138). The Bulldogs placed six overall.

Girls

Arvada Invitational

Like their counterparts in Fort Colllins, Brighton’s girls team put together a strong overall showing at Arvada High School.
The Bulldogs finished with 151 points to hold off Pomona (147), Skyview (125) and Loveland (124).

Brighton’s Kiahna Spellman (120 pounds) and Matilda Hruby (155) finished first, with three more wrestlers reaching the finals. Pomona had four champions in Justice Gutierrez (100), Alora Martinez (125), Ariela Flores (130) and Timberly Martinez (145), and Skyview had four first-place winners as well in Ariyah Alvarado (105), Arianna Alvarado (110), Atlee Brooks (190) and Sofia Cabrera (235).

Loveland’s Saydee Lussenhop (115) was the team’s top performer.

Buffalo Invitational

Coronado took home a quartet of top finishes to claim the girls title at Smoky Hill, finishing with 146 points. Vista Peak was second with 128, and Doherty third at 119.

Coronado’s Bella Arellano-Gandy (110), Jessica Farmer (115), Kira Kristiansen (125) and Valeigha Fife (140/145) each were first in their weight class.

Vista peak also had four first-place finishes, with Amelia Bacon (120), Idaly Garcia (130), Parice Jones (190) and Khloe Yizar (235) emerging on top.

Doherty’s Katey Valdez (105), Aubrianna Ducommun (155) and Katie Knebel (170) helped their team finish third.