DENVER | Derek Glenn Jr. beat his two Cherokee Trail teammates to the punch in becoming the first state wrestling champion in school history.
The sophomore prevailed 4-2 over Grandview junior Frankie Sanchez Jr. in an all-Aurora Class 5A 106 pound state final on the big stage at the Pepsi Center to put a cathartic end to a state championship drought for a program filled with tradition, but without a title.
Glenn Jr. broke a 2-2 tie with his second takedown of the match with 20 seconds remaining and held off Sanchez Jr. from a reversal until the final whistle to send longtime Cherokee Trail coach Jeff Buck out of his seat in excitement.
Buck carried Glenn Jr. around the mat in triumph.
The championship victory — which gave Glenn Jr. revenge for a 3-1 loss to Sanchez Jr. when they met previously in Centennial League dual action — gave Glenn a final record of 38-6 for the season.
Cherokee Trail later added another state champion when junior 220-pounder Sam Hart completed an undefeated season with a 4-2 win over Dylan BravoPacker of Brighton, while senior Julian Williams finished as the heavyweight runner-up after a 5-2 loss to Columbine’s Zach Schraeder.
The Cougars finished a program-best fourth place in the final team standings with 90 points.
Courtney Oakes is Sentinel Colorado Sports Editor. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@sentinelcolorado.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. IG: Sentinel Prep Sports
2020 CLASS 5A 106-POUND STATE WRESTLING FINAL
Derek Glenn Jr. (Cherokee Trail) dec. Frankie Sanchez Jr. (Grandview), 4-2