GREELEY — Coming into the Class 4A Region 1 wrestling tournament, Northridge was the odds-on favorite to win the team title.

The second-ranked Grizzlies didn't disappoint. On Saturday night at the University of Colorado, they wound up with six regional champions, nine state qualifiers and 10 medalists. They rolled to the team title, scoring 238.5 points. Fort Morgan was second at 155.

"There is some tough competition, and we definitely knew that, but we just practiced hard all year long," Northridge coach Adam Alirez said. "We expected ourselves to win this. The guys just came out and wrestled their butts off. Getting eight guys in the finals of the regionals is outstanding. I'm definitely pleased."

Northridge won nearly half of the 14 championships, including one the Grizzlies didn't expect.

At 171 pounds, Windsor's Darren Christopher was ranked No. 1 in the state. In the finals, however, Northridge's Ryan Hill pulled the upset, winning a 4-3 decision. It was Hill's first win in three tries against Christopher this season.

"He's a great wrestler, and he's No. 1 in the state for a reason," said Hill, who came in ranked No. 4. "So, beating him is awesome. It's always fun to be on top, but he's going to come after me next week."

Hill trailed 3-2 in the final minute, but scored a two-point reversal with 31 seconds to go and made that lead stand.

"I was holding on for dear life," he said.

Other Northridge champions were Justin Gonzales (125 pounds), Easton Ramirez (130), Brett Herring (140), Lance Mijares (152), and Tim Saucedo (275).

"We really pulled away with it," Hill said. "It's just been a fun weekend. You couldn't ask for a better weekend. To do this as a team, that shows something."

One disappointment for Northridge, however, was losing 119-pounder Zack Melendez. A state runner-up a year ago, Melendez lost a tough, 8-7 decision to Berthoud's Nick Ludwig in the semifinals, and then was pinned in the consolation semifinals. He placed fifth, one spot short of a state berth.

Fort Lupton showed its strength in the lower weights, as Dale Shull (103 pounds), Eric Zamora (112) and Saul Guerrero (119) all won championships. Shull improved to 33-0, but the freshman wasn't too interested in celebrating.

"When I win (a tournament), I look forward to the next tournament right away," he said. "Yeah (it's big because) I get to go to state. I didn't get any points scored on me, so that was good."

Greeley Central had a strong showing, with six in the finals and two champions. Josh Gonzales (135) and Josh Rangel (160) both won titles.

Greeley West's Justin Waterman pulled off a big upset. The sophomore upset No. 2-ranked Chris Muller of Mountain View in the 189-pound finals.

"I worked my tail off and I really wanted it bad," he said.

A year ago, Waterman was eliminated on the first day of regionals.

"I knew I could win it (this year), but I knew I had to work real hard to get it," he said.

Class 4A Region 1

At Butler-Hancock Hall, GreeleyTeam scores — Northridge 238.5, Fort Morgan 155, Windsor 150, Greeley Central 149.5, Fort Lupton 145.5, Berthoud 118, Sterling 102, Longmont 92.5, Mountain View 81.5, Greeley West 76.5, Silver Creek 68, Skyview 63, Niwot 54.5, Skyline 50.5, Fossil Ridge 50.

Championship matches

103 pounds — Dale Shull (FL) pinned Brandyn Wahlert (Berth), 3:58.

112 — Eric Zamora (FL) def. Drake Huggans (North), inj. default.

119 — Saul Guerrero (FL) dec. Nick Ludwig (Berth), 7-1.

125 — Justin Gonzales (North) dec. Michael Rangel (GC), 3-0.

130 — Easton Ramirez (North) dec. Scott Schaeffer (GC), 5-1.

135 — Josh Gonzales (GC) dec. Patrick Gomez (North), 8-1.

140 — Brett Herring (North) dec. Rodney Hesse (GC), 9-4.

145 — Ryan Buck (FM) dec. Brice Wolf (GC), 6-4, OT.

152 — Lance Mijares (North) pinned Steve Livingston (Skyv), 5:09.

160 — Josh Rangel (GC) dec. Steven Haddock (Long), 6-1.

171 — Ryan Hill (North) dec. Darren Christopher (Wind), 4-3.

189 — Justin Waterman (GW) dec. Chris Muller (MV), 9-2.

215 — Calen Nicholl (Wind) pinned Clint Sellmer (GW), 5:22.

275 — Tim Saucedo (North) pinned Jeremiah Trujillo (Niw), 5:41.

Third-place matches

103 pounds — Francisco Diego (FM) dec.. Jordan Wagner (Long), 4-0.

112 — Graeden Sadlo (Berth) major dec.. Blayne Walker (FM), 12-4.

119 — Paul Alva (Ster) dec.. Samuel Soto (FM), 5-4

125 — Jonathan Pattison (Wind) dec.. Tyler Carron (Berth), 9-8.

130 — Jeremy Delacruz (GW) tech. pinned Spenser Sadlo (Berth), 4:49.

135 — Scott Meuse (Berth) dec.. Mike Pollman (MV), 7-6.

140 — Dan McKeighan (Skyv) pinned John Finkbiner (FL), 3:29.

145 — Kenny Carey (Ster) dec.. Terence Salazar (North), 5-0.

152 — Matt Chavez (FM) dec.. Kent Blackburn (MV), 14-11.

160 — Kohl Martin (Wind) dec.. Rudy Chavez (FM), 13-6.

171 — Joe Diefenbach (Long) dec.. Fabian Guerrero (FL), 4-2.

189 — Josh Larson (Wind) pinned Bo Beardsley (Ster), 1:50.

215 — Nick Zissimos (Skyl) dec. John McGee (SC), 5-3.

275 — Bob Switzer (Long) dec.. Nathan Mason (SC), 3-2.

Wrestlebacks

140 — John Finkbiner (FL) tech. fall Leighton Gerkin (FM), 15-0.

152 — Kent Blackburn (MV) dec. Blake Baseggio (Ster), 11-8.

215 — John McGee (SC) dec. Blake Steiert (MV), 2-1.

275 — John Antuna (FL) dec. Nathan Mason (SC), 4-0.

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