DENVER – The Montezuma-Cortez Wrestling Club added another chapter to a growing legacy with a strong performance at the Rocky Mountain Nationals Elementary and Middle School State Championships.
Over the weekend of March 20-21 at the National Western Complex Events Center in the state capital, the club featured 20 athletes across the two competitions, with nine finishing in the top six of their divisions. With five podium finishers, the middle school boys team placed eighth out of more than 130 teams.
“It’s a huge accomplishment, especially to be finishing ahead of many larger programs from across the state,” head coach Casey Spitzer said.
Eli Kop led the middle school contingent, finishing runner-up.
Parker Spitzer and Zaine Brito advanced through their halves of the bracket to meet in the third-place match, with Spitzer placing third and Brito fourth. Connor Buffington and Lexi Rubin each placed fourth in their middle school divisions.
On the elementary side, Kai Molina, Dawsyn Smith and Tyrann Gallegos led club competitors, each placing third, while Treagan White finished fourth.
Other middle school state qualifiers included Beren Howell, CJ Manakaja, Dominic Gustamantes, Jace Kop, Mathew Frazier and Mirikal Frazier. The elementary group also included Tayzen Hill, Riley Tillotson, Casey Kop, Coltyn Schaefer and Peyton Riddell.
Their weekend followed a strong regional showing in Alamosa the previous weekend, where the club earned nine individual champions and 20 podium finishers.
At the regional meet, Kop, Brito, Howell and Gustamantes topped the podium for the middle schoolers, while Molina, Smith, Gallegos, Tillotson and White were champions in the elementary ranks.
The Montezuma-Cortez Wrestling Club offers wrestling opportunities for athletes as young as four through middle school and has produced numerous wrestlers who have gone on to compete at the high school level. The club focuses on skill development for beginners and seasoned wrestlers seeking elite competition.
The competitive season runs from late November through April, with the state championships one of many premier tests for Four Corners wrestlers competing across the Rocky Mountain region.
For more information, visit cortezwrestlingclub.com or the club’s Facebook page.
