Prepared to go the extra mile

Northridge's entry at heavyweight is willing to pay price

By Scott Stocker, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 28, 2007 at 12:45 a.m.

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Photo by Greeley Tribune File Photo

Tim Saucedo of Northridge roars in triumph in February after winning the 285-pound Class 4A wrestling championship against Fort Morgan's Kyle Graulus at the Pepsi Center.

Tim Saucedo of Northridge will run a mile a day for a state wrestling championship.

That is part of the plan for Saucedo, the 285-pound Class 4A state champion last season, as he goes for his second title and a third consecutive appearance in the state final.

He finished last season with a 32-3 record and takes a career mark of 72-15 into his senior campaign.

Also high on Saucedo's list is leading Northridge to the 4A team championship. The Grizzlies finished second last season to Alamosa.

"My first goal is to keep my head on my shoulders, and if I lose, to do it with dignity," said Saucedo, who was the heavyweight runner-up as a sophomore. "To get ready, I want to run a mile a day, gain 50 pounds on my bench press, 40 on my squat in workouts and be mentally prepared. I would like to go unbeaten, but the team comes first.

"We have a tough lineup that's even hard for others at our school to crack," Saucedo said. "We are all willing to work hard and think we will do well. Alamosa, for sure, will be tough, but others, like Broomfield, Pueblo West and Fort Morgan, will make for a challenging season."

Northridge, coached by Juan Vallejos, should be in the title chase, since six of seven state place winners return for the Grizzlies.

Saucedo lost a match last season to Class 5A state champion Marcus Felker of Thornton and one to Class 3A champion Austin Kinnison of Highland. He lost his third in the Pueblo Invitational while wrestling on an injured ankle.

"Tim is just a great kid, works hard and is very respectful," Vallejos said. "He has been looking forward to wrestling, and I see him as being the leader of the team. We've got an excellent group back, and I think the kids will do well.

"We know the state title is so special you can't predict to win," Vallejos said. "But we hope to be there. We were happy to take second last season, and with the chance to go compete."

Saucedo is quick to point to his teammates, coaches and parents, mom Stephanie and dad Lee, for the inspiration and support they have given him. And, if he doesn't get in enough workouts at the gym, there always is the garage.

"My dad built a wrestling room in the garage and the whole team has been there," said Saucedo, who hopes to major in business in college. "When I was second as a sophomore, I said to Dad I wanted to go further. Dad said we would get something in the house to help out. So, he put the mats in the garage along with other equipment."

Often coming over to the Saucedo household are the other place winners for Northridge.

Justin Gonzales was second last season at 145 and third in 2006. Patrick Gomez placed second at 171. Easton Ramirez, at 140, was fifth last season, third in 2006 and fourth in 2005. Drake Huggans (152) and Derek Vasquez (160) both placed fifth last season.

NOTEBOOK

* Defending team champion Alamosa is everyone's choice to begin the season at No. 1. The Mean Moose of coach Gary Ramstetter are led by returning state champions Jesse Meis and Cody Yohn.

Meis (43-1), who won at 103 pounds, was fourth as a sophomore at the same weight and likely will be at 112 this season. Yohn (41-1) will be going for his third title after winning at 152 as a sophomore and at 160 last season.

Yohn is ranked No. 4 in the nation at his weight by Wrestling USA magazine, Meis at No. 11. Also in the lineup will be Duell Kelly, who placed second at 119, and Dalton Kuell, who was fifth at 112.

In addition, Donovan Archuletta finished third at 145 last season and has received special mention in Wrestling USA. Kyle Holman, fifth at 130 last season, also returns.

* Broomfield will make it tough on the defending state champions, as the Eagles of coach Travis Masse return eight state qualifiers, six of whom placed.

Leading the way is defending state champion Cory Casady, who won at 140 last season but is up to 160.

Junior Gabe Gomez placed second at 103 as a freshman to Fort Lupton's Dale Shull, and third last season at 119 after losing to Shull in the semifinals. Casady and Gomez have been cited for special mention in Wrestling USA.

Ryan Trujillo, Eric Mortensen and Nick Zissimos all placed fifth at state last season. Also, sophomore Jerry Huff placed sixth at 103 and, according to Masse, "is the most technically sound wrestler we have." Huff is ranked as the No. 11 sophomore in the country and No. 22 nationally overall by Wrestling USA.

* Pueblo West coach David Falls believes the Cyclones have the talent this season to challenge Alamosa and Northridge for the state title. He knows they have to stay healthy, though, and must overcome several offseason injuries.

Leading the way should be state runners-up Jordan Garcia (35-10 at 125) and Mike Ross (40-3, 171). Tony Chavarria placed third at 189 (35-5)and sophomore Vinnie Sanchez finished fifth at 119 (35-12).

Falls was more than pleased with the effort from sophomore Marc Guerrero, a normal 119-pounder, who wrestled at 140 and still managed to qualify for state. He is projected to be at either 125 or 130 this season.

* Fort Lupton's Saul Guerrero will be going for this third title, having won at 119 as a sophomore and at 130 last season. He placed third as a freshman at 112 and is expected to be at 135 this season.

* It definitely is going to be tough to gain a spot at the top of the podium this season. Greeley Central also will send two state champions back to the mat. Senior Scott Schaeffer (41-5) won at 135 last season and will go at either 140 or 145. Junior Brice Wolf (42-2) won last season at 171 and could return at that weight.

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