Monte Vista Edges Centauri In Thrilling Wrestling Finale

The Intermountain League dual meet opener between Monte Vista High School and Centauri turned into a wrestling thriller on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the MVHS gym. In a night packed with dramatic swings and nail-biting finishes, the Monte Vista Pirates edged out the Centauri Falcons 36-34, clinching victory in the very last match of the evening. Fans in the stands were treated to a showcase of grit, athleticism, and high school sportsmanship that won’t soon be forgotten.

From the opening whistle, it was clear that this wasn’t going to be a run-of-the-mill dual meet. Monte Vista’s Mathieu Dean set the tone in the 106-pound opener, dominating Marco Medina for a technical fall. Dean’s early takedown and a pair of near falls gave him a commanding 10-0 lead after just one period. He wasn’t done yet—starting the second period in the down position, Dean executed a slick reversal and a four-point near fall, sealing a 16-0 technical fall at the 3:27 mark. That first win gave the Pirates a 5-0 lead and a surge of confidence.

But Centauri wasn’t ready to roll over. The Falcons snatched the next two matches by forfeit, with Erik Garcia at 113 pounds and Noah Chavez at 120 pounds both collecting uncontested wins. Suddenly, the momentum shifted and Centauri held a 12-5 advantage. The Pirates, however, had no intention of letting the night slip away.

At 126 pounds, Stetson Romero faced off against Rylun Polkowske in one of the most hotly contested bouts of the evening. Romero struck first with a takedown, but Polkowske responded with a reversal. By the end of the first period, Romero had built a 9-2 lead thanks to a timely escape and a pair of near falls. Polkowske clawed back in the second period, narrowing the gap to 9-5 with a takedown. In the final moments, Polkowske scored again and nearly turned Romero for the win, but time ran out. Romero’s 9-8 decision brought Monte Vista right back into contention.

The Pirates kept pushing. Elijah Baumgardner took the mat at 132 pounds and delivered a technical fall over Levy Recinos. Baumgardner’s relentless offense included takedowns in the first two periods, a three-point near fall in the second, and a reversal followed by a four-point near fall in the third. The match ended 15-0 at 4:57, putting Monte Vista back in the lead at 13-12.

Centauri’s Konner Horton answered at 138 pounds with a 12-4 major decision over Jaxson Owsley. Horton and Owsley traded takedowns and escapes in the first, but Horton’s second-period takedown and two-point near fall put him ahead. He sealed the match with another takedown in the third, swinging the lead back to Centauri, 16-13.

The Falcons then surged, winning the next two matches by fall. At 144 pounds, Aiden Knecht pinned Evan Enderle in just 55 seconds, and at 150 pounds, Noah Weyers pinned Kyler Lake in 2:51. With those quick pins, Centauri built a formidable 28-13 lead. The home crowd grew anxious—could the Pirates mount a comeback?

Monte Vista answered with a stunning run of their own. Carlos Campos took the 157-pound match against T.J. Robinson by technical fall, 15-0, at just 2:42. Campos was relentless, sprinting out to a 12-0 first-period lead and finishing the job with a takedown early in the second. That win sparked the Pirates’ rally.

Next up, Diego Zamarippa made short work of Tyson Montage at 175 pounds, pinning him in only 45 seconds. The gym erupted as Mason Mondragon then claimed a forfeit win at 190 pounds, pushing Monte Vista into a 30-28 lead. The momentum had swung once again, and the energy in the gym was electric.

Centauri’s Dorian Quintana stepped up at 215 pounds to face Lucas Pino. Pino managed an early takedown, but Quintana responded with an escape and a takedown of his own, leading 4-3 after one period. Quintana then dominated the second, scoring a takedown and two near falls before pinning Pino at 3:46. That gave Centauri a 34-30 lead with just the heavyweight match remaining.

Everything came down to the 285-pound showdown between Monte Vista’s Jose Zamarippa and Centauri’s Aaden Quintana. The first period was tense and scoreless, with both wrestlers feeling each other out. In the second, Zamarippa broke through with a takedown and quickly worked for the pin, finishing Quintana at 3:54. That dramatic victory secured a 36-34 win for Monte Vista, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

“We knew it would be a battle to the last match, and every point mattered tonight,” said a Monte Vista coach after the meet, echoing the tension and excitement that defined the evening. The Pirates’ resilience—especially in the late matches—proved crucial in overcoming Centauri’s mid-meet surge.

Looking ahead, Monte Vista’s wrestlers turn their attention to the Randy and Naomi Keys dual meet tournament, scheduled for January 24, 2026. The Pirates will look to build on this momentum as they chase further league glory. As for Centauri, the Falcons won’t have much time to dwell on the narrow loss—they’re set to compete at the Bene Gagliardi Invitational in Trinidad on January 18, 2026, where they’ll aim to regroup and get back in the win column.

The dual meet opener was more than just a contest of points; it was a showcase of determination, sportsmanship, and the unpredictable magic of high school wrestling. With both squads showing flashes of brilliance and areas to improve, the rest of the Intermountain League season promises plenty more drama. If Thursday night’s action was any indication, fans should buckle up for a wild ride.

For now, Monte Vista can savor a hard-fought victory that came down to the wire—a reminder that in wrestling, it’s never over until the final whistle.