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Elite trio representing IHS at state

Pepsi Center veterans returning for last time

Last February, Stocker Robbins was seen inside Colorado Mesa University's Brownson Arena giving hugs and high-fives to teammates as a spectator with a battered knee on the mend.

One year later and an incredible three weights higher, the revamped Robbins returned to the venue with one objective for the two-day Class 2A-Region I Championships: Return to where he'd first opened eyes statewide.

And despite a loss to Hotchkiss' now-three-time state championships qualifier Colton Hall at 132 pounds, Ignacio's senior will travel to Denver for a third time himself as one of three Bobcats placing in the top four of their respective weights on Feb. 10-11 up in Grand Junction.

"It's not often that you have the opportunity to coach three boys that have the potential to be state champions," head coach Jordan Larsen said, speaking of Robbins, senior 145-pounder Ethan Appenzeller and senior 160-pounder Lorenzo Peña. "For them to still be in the hunt at this point is a pretty good feeling for us as coaches. All three of those boys, they want to go for the title. None of them are looking to just place."

Meeting Hall after going 2-0 in the bracket after a first-round 'bye, Robbins was able to build a 4-1 lead through two periods. But after starting the third in the bottom position, Hall (39-5) first managed a reversal, then later a three-point near-fall to gain a slim 5-4 win and the regional's best possible state seeding.

Still, Robbins (20-6) will be in the mix for one last Pepsi Center podium after placing fourth at 113 (following a Region I title at CMU) as a sophomore in 2015 and second at 106 as a breakout freshman. Walsenburg John Mall senior Jonathan Andreatta, Robbins' opponent that year, will also be in the Mile High City once more, coming in 33-0 after winning the Region II title at 126 pounds.

"After jumping up three weight classes, and still competing with the best, he's pretty excited," Larsen said. "And we're excited for him, obviously, especially after all that."

Robbins' Day 1 opponent at state was to be Peyton sophomore J.D. Hart (24-13). Results were unavailable at press time, but a rematch with Hall could only happen if both advanced to Day 3's first/second-place match.

"Stocker and Woody, you know, they both got that loss at regionals to kids that potentially will be their state finals matches if they're fortunate enough to get there," Larsen said. "They're all just hungry."

Known in Ignacio athletics circles by his nickname, 'Woody' Peña was a state qualifier in 2014 (did not place at 138) and 2016 (third at 160). Last weekend, Peña found himself ultimately squaring off with senior Wade Katzdorn for Region I supremacy, but came up a point short after six furious minutes, 8-7.

"We're peaking at the right time of year, as far as I can see in their wrestling, they just lost to some tough opponents," Larsen said, of Peña and Robbins. "Just hoping that'll give us a little extra fire for when it counts!"

His Denver-bound record dinged slightly to 33-4 (Katzdorn improved to a comparable 34-5), Peña drew Sedgwick County senior Cade Rober (22-12) for first-day work in Denver.

Defeated 5-4 by Pena in the Region I semifinals, Aidan Dabal of Norwood-Nucla (22-11) and Pena - who went 2-1 in Grand Junction - could clash again in one semi at state.

Finally, after pinning Oak Creek Soroco senior Lane Martindale (35-8) in 3:41 elapsed to cap a 3-0 regional-title run, Appenzeller (35-4) was to start his fourth state championships against Wray freshman Emmanuel Huerta (15-10).

Appenzeller is seeded #2 in the bracket. He qualified for state in 2015 at 138 and in 2014 at 126, but did not place either year.

"Ethan, obviously, he's feeling good but he's also looking for a rematch with the returning state champ that he lost to last year," said Larsen. "So he knows that he's not going to win it in some kind of glorious fashion."

"Having those three seniors representing myself and Coach Haga - we've been with them since they were freshmen - it's just good to see their hard work and their determination, their battling in the room paying off in the form of an opportunity," he stated. "We're just excited!"

MORE FROM THE REGIONAL: Led by their state-bound trio, Ignacio piled up 79 points and placed seventh in Grand Junction. Paonia nipped Meeker, 201-200, for first, with Hotchkiss barely better (198.5-196) than Cedaredge for third and Norwood-Nucla (148) rounding out the top five.

Sophomore Dustin Sanchez went 0-2 at 138 pounds and finished his winter 16-20 overall. Cesar Pedregon finished his first campaign 10-21 after going 1-2 at 170, and senior Dalton Mickey - a state qualifier at 120 in 2014 - went 1-3 at 152, placing sixth, to finish 8-10 overall.