DENVER – Despite the heavy breaths and the genuine fatigue that Severance’s Drake VomBaur felt after his quarterfinal match, he had nothing but appreciation for toughness that his opponent brought to the fight.

VomBaur’s search for a third wrestling title remains intact after beating Pueblo East’s Jason Soto in a 4-1 decision. The match, which was tight the entire way through, could have easily been at least a semifinal contest, but the two Class 4A 120-pounders clashed on Day 1 of the CHSAA state wrestling tournament.

“He brought the heat, man,” VomBaur said. “I appreciate that.”

VomBaur wants nothing handed to him. He’s had friends ask him how much he wants to win four titles, and while that is definitely a goal on his radar, he wants to run through the gauntlet to get it.

His win against Soto was a great example.

He’ll return to Ball Arena on Friday to take on Pueblo Central’s Sonny Solano in the semifinals.

While Soto fell short against VomBaur, his East Eagles have 61 points after Day 1, which is good for first place in 4A.

Brighton’s Matild Hruby and Pomona’s Timberly Martinez are on a crash course to meet in the 5A girls 145-pound final. Martinez is the only wrestler at Ball Arena this weekend going for a fourth state title, but the Hruby is the No. 1 wrestler on the bracket.

In 5A boys, Pomona’s quest to set the state scoring record got off to a strong start as the Panthers have already scored 118 points.

Day 2 of the CHSAA state wrestling tournament begins at 8:30 a.m. Friday with consolation matches. The semifinals begin at 6 p.m.

Team Scores

Class 5A Girls

PLACE TEAM SCORE
1 Grand Junction Central 65.5
2 Pomona 52
3 Chatfield 48
4 Pine Creek 40.5
5 Poudre 36

Class 5A Boys

PLACE TEAM SCORE
1 Pomona 118
2 Grandview 72.5
3 Ponderosa 45
4 Chatfield 42.5
5 Cherokee Trail 39

Class 4A Boys

PLACE TEAM SCORE
1 Air Academy 62
2 Pueblo East 61
3 Roosevelt 49.5
4 Severance 46.5
5 Widefield 45