Once again, Ball Arena is getting ready to trade out the hardwood for something a little softer.
After the Nuggets clear the floor following a game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night, Ball Arena will transform into a wrestling fan’s Mecca — covered in mats from end to end.
Thursday through Saturday, the arena will host the Class 2A-5A boys state wrestling championships, and the 4A-5A girls state championships.
Roosevelt’s Chris LaLonde gets a big hug from his mom Jessica Anderson after winning the 4A 126-pound match at Ball Arena in Denver in 2023. (Jim Rydbom/Staff Photographer)And per the usual, Northern Colorado will be well represented, sending 120 wrestlers from the Tribune’s coverage area (most of Weld County, plus Resurrection Christian) to the big dance — 20 more than last year.
Ninety-three boys wrestlers and 27 girls wrestlers from the area will descend on Ball Arena later this week — and all but three are searching for their first state title.
With the girls division getting split into two divisions — 4A and 5A — twice as many ladies medals will be handed out this year. That’s fitting, as area schools are sending twice the number of competitors they did last year: 27 this year to just 10 last year.
Severance sophomore Vance VomBaur (113 pounds), Johnstown junior Chris LaLonde (144) and Windsor junior Evan Perez (215) all look for their second state titles.
Windsor’s Evan Perez reacts after losing his 4A 190 pound match during the semifinals at Ball Arena in Denver on Feb. 16, 2024. (Jim Rydbom/Staff Photographer)VomBaur won his first last year as a freshman, while LaLonde and Perez look reclaim their spots on top of their respective podiums after winning as freshman in 2023. LaLonde finished second last year, while Perez finished third.
Who: 93 of the top local boys wrestlers and 27 of the top local girls wrestlers What: Class 2A-5A boys state wrestling championships and Class 4A and 5A girls state wrestling championships When: Thursday-Saturday Where: Ball Arena, 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver Number of boys state qualifiers by team: Windsor, 12; Highland, 12; Severance, 10; Roosevelt, 10; Valley, seven; Fort Lupton, seven; Eaton, seven; University, six; Resurrection Christian, six; Dayspring Christian, four; Greeley Central, three; Greeley West, three; Platte Valley, three; Weld Central, two; Northridge, one. Number of girls state qualifiers by team: Greeley West, eight; Severance, seven; Roosevelt, four; Fort Lupton, four; Weld Central, two; Platte Valley, two. Returning state champions: Drake VomBaur, Severance, soph. (35-5, Class 4A, 113 pounds, won 106 title last year as freshman); Evan Perez, Windsor, jr. (37-0, Class 4A, 215 pounds, won 165 title in 2023 as a freshman, finished third in 190 last year); Chris LaLonde, Roosevelt, jr. (39-3, Class 4A, 144 pounds, won 126 title in 2023 as a freshman, finished second in 138 last year). Read More Details
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