After an up-and-down freshman season, Montezuma-Cortez High School sophomore Josh Ramos bulked up to 138 pounds prior to this season and came into his own.

The second-place finisher at the Class 3A Western Slope Regional Tournament, Ramos enters this year’s state tournament brimming with confidence.

“My goal is to place, but mostly, I’m just going to focus on every match,” said Ramos. “Last year I didn’t get to go, so it was big to go this year.”

Ramos (26-17) will open the tournament against Platte Valley’s Ryan Waite (38-7) on the afternoon of Feb. 19. If he wins, Ramos will take on either Valley High School’s Aaron Trujillo (34-10) or Dolores Huerta High School’s Zach Zamarippa (12-13) on the morning of Feb. 20.

Ramos is hopeful the experience he gained during practices this season will help him through.

“Every practice was rough,” Ramos said. We wrestle live all the time and wrestling with those guys in our room helped me get better. I’m kind of blessed to have them to wrestle with me.”

Off the mat

Favorite book: Percy Jackson Series

Favorite TV show: Any cartoon

Favorite movie: Remember the Titans

Dream job: Medical scientist

Influential people: Brother and dad

Favorite place: My house

Superstition: Tucks shoelaces toward middle of shoes