By Michael Hicks
Berthoud Recorder

DENVER — The first day of the 4A state wrestling championship wasn’t a very good one for Berthoud.

Of the seven wrestlers the Spartans took to this year’s state meet at the Pepsi Center only 112-pounder Robbie Workman and heavyweight Jared Wikre survived to reach the state quarterfinals. Workman, a sophomore who placed sixth a year ago at 103 pounds, scored a 5-4 decision over Pueblo Central’s Robert DeHerrera. Workman will meet Montrose’s Drew Schumann on Friday afternoon for the rights to wrestle in the state semifinals later in the evening. Wikre, meanwhile, posted a 5-2 decision over Fort Lupton’s Doug Fisher. The senior heavyweight will meet Rifle’s Tad Davis in today’s semifinals.

Workman built a 3-2 lead after one period and trailed 4-3 after two before scoring a reversal with 29 seconds left in the match. He held on from there.

“I knew that time was running short. I needed to ride him out and stay tight on him if, and if anything give him one (point) not two,” Workman said.

Wikre closed out the night session by scoring a reversal and three back points in the first minute before holding off his burly opponent.

“I guess it’s kind of hard to wrestle them since they’re so big. I kind of hope to tire them out and let them make a mistake, but at the same time I have to watch myself as well,” Wikre said.

Tylor Bethel opened the night session with a 15-0 technical fall loss at 103 pounds to tournament favorite Alex Baca of Pueblo Central. Things didn’t get much better from there.
Alex Sadlo (130), Curtis Martinez (135), Brandyn Wahlert (145) and Nick Henderson (160) were all pinned in their tournament-opening matches. They’ll each come back Friday to wrestle in the consolation bracket.