Alameda wrestlers pin down 4A Je co League title

BY DENNIS PLEUSS JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

GOLDEN — Alameda International’s boys wrestling team did something Feb. 3 that hadn’t happened in more than two decades.

e Pirates racked up 144 team points to win the Class 4A Je co League Tournament and bring home a conference wrestling title for the rst time since 2001. Bear Creek was runner-up with 114 and Evergreen took third with 108.5.

“ is means a lot. It really does,” Alameda coach Frank Trujillo said. “Where we were a few years ago to where we are now is a total change. We have a lot of kids who are proud to be out there. It’s a great feeling.”

Fittingly, Golden athletic director JC Summer — Alameda’s wrestling coach back in 2001 — handed the conference plaque to Trujillo after nearly ve hours of wrestling at Golden High School.

“ is is good. It’s been a long time since we’ve won,” Alameda junior Mushtaq Shokori said.

Shokori was one of three Pirates who claimed individual titles. e junior won at 157 pounds. Freshman Caleb Ballejos went 4-0 to win the 106-pound title. Sophomore Muswer Ali Shokori had ve pins in all of his 150-pound matches.

Alameda was able to racked up enough team points thanks to seven other wrestlers placing either second or third in their weight class. e future is bright for Alameda with no seniors on this year’s team.

“We’ve been telling all our wrestlers that every win counts,” Trujillo said of the Pirates depth that helped win the league title. “Even if you lose, it’s important to bounce back with a win in your next match to help out the team.”

Evergreen senior Gabe Zimmerer (165) helped the Cougars claim a tournament-high ve individual titles. Evergreen won at 126, 165, 175, 190 and 215. Zimmerer, a three- time state quali er, dominated by pinning all ve his opponents at the league tournament.

“I like all the matches. It gives you a lot of experience,” Zimmerer said. “I just wanted to go out and sharpen my skills before regionals. It was a good day.”

Zimmerer — highest ranked 4A Je co League wrestler by On the Mat — is hoping to return to Ball Arena in a couple of weeks to make his fourth state tournament. He placed sixth as a sophomore at 160 pounds, but came up one win short at state last year to place on the podium.

“Hopefully this year is a lot di erent,” Zimmerer said of nishing his prep wrestling career on the high