History is within reach of the Dove Creek wrestling team.

The Bulldogs are on the cusp of capturing their first wrestling state championship.

After action Friday night, Dove Creek and Rocky Ford, the 2006 runner-up, were battling to lead the team standings.

Rocky Ford holds a one-point lead against the Bulldogs (112- 111), with Dolores giving chase at 100.

"I told the kids that we just have to come out and wrestle (today)," said Dove Creek coach Shane Baughman, whose squad finished a school-best fourth place at state a year ago. "We control our own destiny. We just have to get the job done."

The Bulldogs had seven wrestlers in the semifinals, but only Grant Hobbs (112 pounds), Colten Huskey (135) and Jacob Guynes (145) made it through to the finals.

"We still have some guys left in the consolation brackets and we need those guys to also score points if we're going to win state," said Baughman, whose team is ranked No. 1.

Heading into the semifinals, Dove Creek had the team lead with 72 points, followed by Rocky Ford, with 61 points.

Rocky Ford, which led the team standings after the first day, had a tough quarterfinal round. The Meloneers had nine wrestlers advance to that point, but only David Garcia (103), Chris Schweizer (160), Jacob Jur-ney (171) and heavyweight Brock Freidenberger are going to be competing for gold medals tonight.

"I couldn't be more proud of my guys," Rocky Ford coach Mike Jurney, Jacob's dad, said. "We had a great semifinal round and I told my guys that we just need to come out, wrestle individual matches and let the team score take care of itself."

Individually, Limon's Kevin LeValley still is on track to join Colorado's elite four-time state championship club. Only 13 wrestlers have captured four consecutive state titles. The last was Torben Walters of Crowley County in 2005.

LeValley, a senior, pinned T.J. Carter of Las Animas in a little more than two minutes in their 145-pound quarterfinal.

LeValley (38-1) then pinned Josh Conde (25-17) of Holyoke in the semifinals.

LeValley won state at 119, 130 and 140 pounds in his first three years with the Badgers.

"There's nothing I can do about my circumstance (of being a three-time state champion)," LeValley said. "I just have to go out there and wrestle each match like it's my last."

During his storied career, LeValley has a glossy 151-6 record.

"Kevin is just a great, positive influence on our kids," said fourth-year Limon coach Cameron Soester. "He never quits and our guys can learn from him."

LeValley is headed to Bucknell next fall to wrestle, something he's looking forward to doing.

"I visited West Point and Cornell, but I just liked Bucknell the best," LeValley said. "I just liked the coaches, the campus and everything. It was just a perfect fit for me."

LeValley started wrestling when he was 7, but didn't develop a passion for the sport until middle school.

"As a little kid, I had dreams like every youngster of being a state champion one day," he said.

"Then, when I started competing for the Falcon Youth Wrestling Club in middle school that is when I started to love the sport.

"I got involved with some great coaches and mentors who made me the wrestler I am today."

While LeValley is looking for his fourth state crown, Merino's Ross Brunkhardt (152), Meeker's Joe LaBlanc (160) and Nucla heavyweight Tucker Lane are each trying to win their third state championships when the tournament concludes tonight.

Class 2A championships

• 103: David Garcia, Rocky Ford, Jr. (36-3) vs. Drew Ritchey, Wray, Jr. (33-1)

• 112: Chad Stroh, Holyoke, Fr. (32-5) vs. Grant Hobbs, Dove Creek, Sr. (36-0)

• 119: Ryan Gallegos, Grand Valley, Fr. (35-1) vs. Daniel Espinoza, Antonito, Sr. (34-1)

• 125: Wacey Smith, Merino, Sr. (38-3) vs. Dustin Weitzel, Dolores, Sr. (40-2)

• 130: Chris Penny, Burlington, Sr. (32-1) vs. Drake Smith, Dolores, Jr. (33-5)

• 135: Jake Harris, Dolores, Sr. (32-7) vs. Colten Huskey, Dove Creek, So. (36-0)

• 140: Hugh Hardman, Norwood, So. (36-1) vs. Chris Holzworth, Fowler, Sr. (28-1)

• 145: Jacob Guynes, Dove Creek, Sr. (41-4) vs. Kevin LeValley, Limon, Sr. (38-1)

• 152: Mikey Swigart, Dolores, Sr. (37-1) vs. Ross Brunkhardt, Merino, Sr. (33-1)

• 160: Joe LeBlanc, Meeker, Sr. (31-0) vs. Chris Schweizer, Rocky Ford, Sr. (38-4)

• 171: Tanner Ridgway, Paonia, Sr. (32-3) vs. Jacob Jurney, Rocky Ford, Sr. (41-1)

• 189: Steven Turecek, Byers, Jr. (35-4) vs. Stryker Lane, Nucla, So. (36-3)

• 215: Josh Olsen, Calhan, Sr. (34-2) vs. Brian Hendricks, Burlington, Sr. (24-0)

• 285: Brock Freidenberger, Rocky Ford, Sr. (33-7) vs. Tucker Lane, Nucla, Sr. (36-0)

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