Sarah Trujillo, Gilpin County.

February 15-17, 2018 were sad but successful days for Gilpin wrestler Josh Trujillo. State has been something that he has worked for not only during the season, but his whole wrestling career. He has attended endless camps, practices, and meets to build up his skills to make it to state this year, and that is exactly what he did. Trujillo wrestled in the weight class of 152, which is said to be one of the hardest weight classes this year.

Going into the arena at the Pepsi Center with 40,000 people in attendance, Trujillo knew he had a long road to make it to the top but qualifying for this event is a major accomplishment in and of itself. His first match was against Michael Rode, from Simla. This match was the one that could make or break what path he would take to victory, and Trujillo showed up and beat his opponent with a score of 10-3. His next match was not as easy. He wrestled Trevor Randel, from County Line, who later went on to win in weight class 152. Trujillo lost 5-1, but put up a good fight, he just couldn’t manage to escape the wrestler’s grasp. Trujillo’s record for the tournament was now 1-1 and if he lost another he would be out. He knew this going into his next match but didn’t let it stop him. He then wrestled Jaden Baldonado, from Rocky Ford, and not only did he not let his opponent score a single point the whole match, but he even managed to pin him with 1:12 left in the third period. Going into the next match he still had the pressure of not being able to continue if he lost, and sadly, that pressure got the best of him. In this match, Trujillo had the chance to go up against Cade Hillman, from Wray, the wrestler who was his only loss in regionals.

Trujillo went into the match with a strong mindset and believed that this match was his turn to shine and dominate. This was the match that determined whether he would move on to wrestle for 5th or if it was the end of the road for the senior. Trujillo went through all three periods with the Wray wrestler, with a final score of 5-0, with Hillman winning. According to Trujillo, the wrestler was very strong, and he couldn’t keep him down. This was a hard loss for Trujillo and he wasn’t able to move on in the tournament.

After the weekend, Trujillo placed top 8, but it still wasn’t enough to succeed at his goal of making it to the podium. He would like to thank his coaches, teammates, and everyone who has supported him throughout his journey of being a wrestler, he wouldn’t have been able to do it without them and the extra effort they put into his dream of being successful at state.

Josh Trujillo had high goals, and although he fell just short in the blood round, his training and work ethic were superior. This may be the end of his High School wrestling career, but he has a full ride to the prestigious Colorado School of Mines, where he will study engineering.

Josh wrestled with all the passion and heart that he could and says that he would not be where he is today without wrestling. Wrestling changed him and gave him something that nothing else could: the tools he needs in life to rise above mediocrity and make it to the top.