DENVER – Sophomore Mathieu Dean became the first Monte Vista High School wrestler in almost a decade to win an individual state wrestling championship Saturday at Ball Arena.

Dean won the 106-pound title by defeating top-ranked Emilio Vallejos of Rocky Ford by an 8-5 decision.

“I never ever would have thought this would happen,” Dean said. “I had this goal ever since last year. I just kept on pushing and pushing and the fight paid off.”

“It was perfect repping by Mathieu,” said Monte Vista coach Omar Gonzalez. “He did everything he had to do. No mistakes and he capitalized on the other guys mistakes. He just wrestled a good clean match.”

Dean got off to an early 5-0 lead on Vallejos, only to have the Meloneer wrestler attempt a comeback. But Dean finished strong to take the three-point win.

Dean is looking to not only win another title next year, but three in a row.

“I’m going to work for the next two years,” Dean said. “I’m keeping pushing it out to get back onto that podium.”

“We’re hoping he get three in a row.” Gonzalez said. “He keeps growing as he gets better.”

Monte Vista finished in 23^rd place with 35 ½ points. The rest of the Pirates saw Elijah Baumgardner (132) eliminated in the third round of the consolation bracket, Stetson Romero (120), Jaxon Owsley (126) and Carlos Campos (150) eliminated in the second round, and Mason Mondragon (190) and Jose Zamarripa (285) eliminated in the first round.

Center

One more San Luis Valley wrestler placed in the Class 2A tournament as Center’s Michael Archuleta took third place at 120 pounds. Archuleta defeated Fowler’s Stockton Sharon by a 10-4 decision in the 120 third-place match.

Archuleta was the Vikings’ only representative. He managed to score 18 ½ points for a 31^st-place finish.

Antonito

The two Trojans in the tournament saw Matthew Bradley (132) eliminated in the second round, and Austyn Lopez (190) eliminated in the first round. Antonito tied for 48^th place with one point.

Del Norte

The Tigers’ sole representative, Asher Albright (150), was eliminated in the second round. They finished in a tie for 44^th with three points.

Sargent

The Farmers went scoreless as their only representatives, Tomas Benavidez (113) and Donovan Heineman (132), were both eliminated in the first round.

Sierra Grande/Centennial

The Panthers also were scoreless as Aden Gallegos (120), Matthew Trujillo (126) and Trinden Worcester (144)were all eliminated in the first round.

Class 2A team scores

Highland 111, North Fork 105 ½, Burlington 94 ½, Rocky Ford 94 ½, Buena Vista 93, Cedaredge 88, Dayspring Christian Academy 74, Sedgwick County/Fleming 72, Wray 71, Ignacio 67 ½, West Grand 67, Las Animas 62, Meeker 56 ½, Akron 51 ½, Crowley County 51, Olathe 51, Limon 45, Trinidad 43 ½, Fowler 43, Norwood 41, Hayden 37, Yuma 36, Monte Vista 35 ½, Colorado Springs Christian 33 ½, Springfield 32, Wiggins 27, Peyton 26, Walsenburg 25 ½, Dolores 23 ½, Swink 20, Center 18 ½, Nucla 15, Ellicott 13, Dove Creek, Merino 12, Custer County 10, North Park 8, Lyons 6 ½, Rangely 5, Byers 4, County Line 4, Holly 4, Mancos 4, Del Norte 3, Gilpin County 3, Holyoke 3, Rye 2, Antonito 1, Kiowa 1, Primero 0, Sargent 0, Sierra Grande/Centennial 0, Soroco 0.