Ranked and loaded
Mustangs boys wrestlers ranked highly both as a 3A team and individually' Alina Antillon No. 2 for girls at 136; mat matters should be intense in 2021-22.
Mullen’s 2021-22 wrestling season will begin on Thursday (Dec. 2) and with it comes a new feeling.
Expectation.
The Mustangs boys not only consider themselves in the conversation for a Colorado championship, but they are gaining enough determination, know-how and confidence to actually win one.
Coach John Howes, after the preseason On The Mat rankings have his Mustangs rated No. 3 as a team in Class 3A and five individuals ranked among the best in their respective weight classes, said it began when he took over the program four years ago.
“We’ve got a good group of kids,” he said. “At the end of that season, I said ‘Hey, guys, you have an opportunity to do something that has never been done here at Mullen before.”
The commitment and everything that comes with it has led to the following Mullen placements in rankings to open the season:
They are headed by Dale O’Blia, the defending 3A champion at 103 pounds. He is rated first at 113. O’Blia, also a middle-school champion, was 17-0 in the abbreviated 2020-21.
At 120. Gilbert Antillon is No. 8. He was third in regionals at 113 a year ago – just missing a state berth -- and 13-5 for the season.
Noah Linares is third at 132. He was fifth in regionals and 32-6 at 113 as a freshman; sixth at the state tournament and 26-10 as a sophomore; and 10-2 for third at state at 126 as a junior.
At 160, Mark Troni is No. 4. He was 26-17 and sixth in regionals at 120 as a freshman; 34-13 and fifth at state at 136 as a sophomore; and 12-3 at 145 as a junior before qualifying for state, but was not able to compete.
And Kaleb Valdez-Lemos is No. 2 at 170. He was 29-13 and a state-qualifier at 145 as a freshman; and 15-4 and third at state at 160 as a sophomore.
The Mustangs also have some talent in their depth, Howes said, and they may be able to add a wrestler or two as the season progresses.
Mullen finished seventh – of 38 teams -- in the 3A team chase.
“We’re in a good position,” Howes said. “This has been their goal since the end of last season. And it’s not a goal; it’s an expectation. They got a taste of it.
“They’re going hard in practice, most of the team shows up and does the weightlifting, and they’re dedicated.”
Mullen will host Denver West in a dual match at 7 p.m. in the Old Gym.
And for girls, senior Alina Antillon is No. 2 at 136. She won the unsanctioned 136 titles as a freshman and sophomore, and was second in the first year of sanctioning the past season. For her career, she is an impressive 63-3.
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