DENVER – Fourth place meant two different things for two different Bayfield High School wrestlers Saturday at the Colorado High School Activities Association Class 3A state championships.
For senior Colter McMenimen, it was an ending.
The end of his high school wrestling career, for sure, and maybe his wrestling career altogether.
McMenimen faced Olathe’s Austin Shank for third place at 145 pounds and held a 2-0 lead after the first period. Shank picked up a takedown in the second, and both wrestlers escaped to make it 3-2 McMenimen in the third. Then Shank caught him in a cradle for the pin with 20 seconds remaining.
“I made one mistake, and it’s all over,” said McMenimen, son of Missy and Todd McMenimen.
Shank also beat McMenimen for the regional championship.
After the referee raised Shank’s hand, McMenimen walked directly to the coach’s chair for a long hug with his father, BHS head coach Todd McMenimen.
“Certainly didn’t want his last high school match to go that way,” coach McMenimen said.
He’s undecided on it for the moment, but that loss may not end Colter McMenimen’s wrestling career.
“I can’t end on something like that. I’m not committed to it right now, but that’s not going to settle well,” Colter McMenimen said.
For sophomore Ryan Nava, it marked a beginning. He climbed onto the podium after missing out last season, losing 5-4 to Zach Damian of Valley in the third-place match at 126 pounds. Nava trailed 3-1 entering the third period and never could grab the lead.
“I think if I had a little more time, it would have opened up some more. It’s not that i couldn’t get the job done, I’m a patient wrestler,” said Nava, son of Ramona Fouseca and Alec Rodriguez. “Maybe that’s why I lost – gotta take it to him.”
Nava vowed after finishing off the podium his freshman season that he would make it in 2015. He followed through there and made one more prognostication.
“I’m on now, which is more than I can ask for, speaking as last year I didn’t even see that podium and step my two feet on it. I’m satisfied with where I’m at now,” Nava said. “This is just a start for me. I’m on to bigger things. I’ll be up at the top of that podium.”
Sam Westbrook fell just short of reaching the podium for the Wolverines in his first trip to the Pepsi Center. Mullen’s Sam Deseriere beat him 5-2 in the consolation quarterfinals to reach the medal rounds.
kgrabowski@durangoherald.com
BHS: How they fared
Ryan Nava, So., 126 pounds (15-3): Beat Kyler Bailey, Berthoud, 5-1; Beat Dakota Macy, Fort Lupton, 7-3; Lost to Zach Damian, Valley, 5-4. Finished: 4th.
Colter McMenimen, Sr., 145 pounds (37-4): Pinned Tanner Fetzer, Platte Valley (2:49); Pinned by Austin Shank, Olathe (5:40) Finished: 4th.
Sam Westbrook, Jr., 285 pounds (34-10): Lost to Sam Deseriere, Mullen, 5-2. Finished: Eliminated.
