Colorado High School Wrestling Tournament Preview: Top Contenders and Schedule
The 2026 Colorado High School State Wrestling Tournament is set to capture place this weekend at Ball Arena in Denver, promising intense competition and unforgettable moments.1 The tournament features four classifications of boys brackets and two classifications of girls brackets.2
Tournament Schedule
The tournament schedule is as follows:
- Thursday: First and second rounds begin at noon.
- Friday: Consolation bouts in the morning, followed by the semifinal round starting around 6 p.m.
- Saturday: Consolation and placing matches from 9 a.m. To the afternoon. The Parade of Champions is scheduled for approximately 4 p.m., immediately followed by the championship finals.
Class 5A
Boys
Pomona is aiming for an eighth consecutive crown in Class 5A, having won seven consecutive titles and nine out of the last ten.3 The Panthers qualified their entire team after dominating Region 1 with 11 regional champions. Derek Barrows (150 pounds) and Kalob Ybarra (175) are looking for their third titles. Grandview and Ponderosa also qualified strong teams.
Bracket to Watch: 120 Pounds
The 120-pound bracket is expected to be highly competitive, featuring Ian Bacon of Vista PEAK, Kel Unrein of Fruita Monument, and Logan Dellow.
Girls
The 5A girls’ competition will be exciting, with Chatfield looking to reclaim the title they last held in 2023. Central of Grand Junction won the 2025 championship, while Pomona took the title in 2024. Chatfield qualified 10 wrestlers, including undefeated Ryen Hickey at 145 pounds. Central qualified nine, and Eaglecrest qualified 12.
Bracket to Watch: 155 Pounds
The 155-pound class is shaping up to be a highlight of the tournament, featuring undefeated Matilda Hruby of Brighton, a two-time champion, and Timberly Martinez of Pomona, who is aiming to develop into only the third four-time state champion in girls’ wrestling.3
Class 4A
Boys
Pueblo East, the defending champion, will be a tough team to beat, having won seven regional titles and qualifying 11 wrestlers. Roosevelt and Severance also qualified 11 wrestlers each, with Chris LaLonde (144) of Roosevelt seeking his third title.
Bracket to Watch: 120 Pounds
The 120-pound bracket features Severance’s Drake VomBaur, aiming for a third consecutive title in a different weight class, along with Tristan Pino of Sand Creek and Dylan Saba of Air Academy.
Girls
Pueblo Central returns two state champions, Acelyn Duran (100) and Lilliana Lopez (145), from the team that won the 4A crown. Severance qualified 11 wrestlers, while Olathe and Holy Family also had strong regional performances.
Bracket to Watch: 145 Pounds
The 145-pound bracket could see a matchup between top seed Roxie Uhrig of Gunnison and Lilliana Lopez of Pueblo Central.
Class 3A
Eaton and Fort Morgan are expected to be strong contenders in Class 3A. Fort Morgan qualified 10 wrestlers, while Eaton qualified seven. Alamosa is sending 13 wrestlers, including six regional champions. Ritchie Bruno (190) of Brush is seeking a third state title.
Bracket to Watch: 285 Pounds
The 285-pound bracket features Champion Dyes of Mullen and Samuel Stockwell of Resurrection Christian, who were on opposite sides of the bracket last year.
Class 2A
Cedaredge, the reigning champion, qualified six wrestlers. Highland and Burlington qualified eight and ten wrestlers, respectively. Austin Collins (145) of Wray will attempt to claim a third state title.
Bracket to Watch: 215 Pounds
The 215-pound bracket features two unbeaten wrestlers: Anthony Estrada (35-0) of Burlington and Carter Stromer (39-0) of Buena Vista.
Worth a look