Strong praise early for wrestlers
Preseason On The Mat rankings have Mullen 12th among 3A teams; seven individuals, including 2-time female champion Antillon, make the early grades.
No question high-school wrestling in 2020-21 will be different with its shorter season, smaller number of matches, delayed start and assorted other rules and variances because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
However, in the new Season B that begins on Monday (Jan. 25), Mullen is rated much higher than in recent seasons and sports a number of individuals who figure to have significant says in who wins certain weight classes.
According to On the Mat’s preseason rankings, the Mustangs begin at No. 12 among Class 3A teams and seven individuals are considered among the best in their respective weights.
Teamwise, Mullen, which will have a series of dual meets against 5A Centennial League teams, is behind, in order, Pagosa Springs, Eaton, Weld Central, Bennett, Valley, Platte Valley, Alamosa, Jefferson, Moffat County, Woodland Park and Lamar.
And coming off a season in which six wrestlers advanced to the Colorado tournament – or one more than in the previous two seasons combined -- the stronger Mustangs also must deal with fewer qualifying spots available, although they appear to be in position to challenge.
Tops among boys is junior Mark Troni, who is ranked No. 2 at 3A 145 pounds. Fifth at 126 a year ago, Troni was 34-13. He also was 26-17 at 120 as a freshman.
Sophomore Noah Linares and freshman Dale O’Blia each are rated fifth. Linares was 26-10 the past season at 120 and sixth in regionals. He also was 32-6 at 113 and fifth in regionals as a freshman. He will be at 126 this season. O’Blia, who will be at 106, was a middle-school champion at 75.
Another sophomore, Kaleb Valdez-Lemos, is eighth at 145. He was a state qualifier the past season with a 29-13 mark at 145.
Heavyweight Hayden Woodruff is at No. 8 after a 14-9 freshman season among the biggest boys. He also qualified for the Colorado tournament.
And another newcomer, freshman Gilbert Antillon, enters as No. 14 at 113. He was a placer at a USA Wrestling tournament as a 95-pounder.
As for girls, who will have their first sanctioned season, two-time champion Alina Antillon (136) begins the second half of what could be a landmark career. She is 51-1 overall, including 31-0 the past season. She’s top-ranked in the weight.
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