Competing in front of a large crowd at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Feb. 22, Montezuma-Cortez High School senior Matthew Broughton lost in the semifinals of the Colorado High School State Wrestling Tournament.

Broughton’s loss came to Brush’s Oswaldo Nunez, who entered the match with a 29-6 record overall. After three hard-fought periods, Broughton found himself on the wrong side of an 8-5 final score.

The M-CHS senior’s loss in the 152-pound weight division followed a 7-3 victory over Berthound High School’s Kyle Conlon in the state quarterfinals. Conlon entered the match with a 37-7 record overall.

Broughton will now drop into the consolation bracket with hopes of winning out and finishing third overall. The senior is guaranteed to finish no worse than sixth place in the 152-pound weight division.

Also wrestling in the championship bracket for M-CHS was senior Swayde Noyes, who lost a crushing 3-0 decision to The Classical Academy’s Nathan Johns. Johns, who is widely regarded as one of the top 182-pound wrestlers in the state, entered the match with a 34-1 record overall.

After his loss to Johns, Noyes dropped into the consolation bracket and lost a 5-1 decision to Brush High School’s Nick Wellen. The loss eliminated the M-CHS senior from the state tournament.

Other M-CHS wrestlers competing on the second day of the state tournament included Jayven Valdez, who lost to Valley High School sophomore Javan Valdez by a score of 16-0 in the 113-pound division. M-CHS senior Kerwin Tom also wrestled and was defeated by Middle Park High School’s Dylan Kloss by a score of 10-3. Both Tom and Valdez were eliminated from the tournament.

Other local wrestlers who competed on the second day of the tournament included Mancos High School’s 152-pound sophomore Colt Fury, who defeated Del Norte’s Keegan Medina, 9-5, before being pinned by Wray High School’s Emmanuel Huerta. Fury wrapped up his first state tournament with a 1-2 record overall.

Dolores senior Bryan Escarcega was pinned by Wray High School’s Ike Fisher in the 220-pound division, and Dove Creek High School sophomore Gage Bailey lost a 9-4 decision in the 113-pound consolation bracket. Both Escarcega and Bailey were eliminated from the tournament.

With six of the seven local state qualifiers now eliminated, Southwest Colorado wrestling fans will now pin their hopes on Broughton, who will compete in consolation bracket matches on Saturday.