Sunnyside returns to Division I winning fourth consecutive boys wrestling state team title

Tucson Sunnyside and the phrase "Arizona boys wrestling state team champion" have become increasingly synonymous since 1979. 

The Blue Devils fulfilled that again Saturday, winning the 2021 Division I state tournament at Poston Butte High School in San Tan Valley.

The Division I tournament was the final day of the state tournament competitions at that venue, consisting of Division IV on Tuesday and Wednesday, as well as Divisions III and II on Thursday and Friday, respectively. 

Sunnyside's victory marks its fourth consecutive state team title and 34th overall in school history. The southern Arizona program began this streak in 2018 when it was in Division I before moving down to Division II for the previous two seasons, then returning to D-1 this year.

The Blue Devils won state by scoring 198 team points over runner-up Liberty, which scored 166.5 points. Phoenix Desert Vista was third (113.5), Mesa Desert Ridge finished fourth (98) and Cibola was fifth (92.5). 

Sunnyside, Liberty and Desert Ridge tied for sending a Division I-high 13 state qualifiers from the state sectionals on March 13, in which the Blue Devils also earned a Division I Section I team title win. Four of Sunnyside's 13 were defending individual state champions entering the tournament, and nine who placed at state. Three individual champions in the 113, 160, and 182 weights and six others who placed no lower than fifth place summed up the Blue Devil's nine who stood on the podium.

"We were able to evade danger and an almost assured loss to eventually pin Liberty," Sunnyside head coach Anthony Leon said. "All of the 13 wrestlers did a great job."

Liberty boasted two individual state winners, and six others who placed, which gave Sunnyside a tough grind to secure the lead through the early rounds. In two moments during the mid-afternoon, Sunnyside was barely ahead 135 to 123.5 lead over Liberty, then 151 to 132.5 the next.

The Lions' two state winners beat Sunnyside wrestlers, including unbeatenfreshman Michael Trujillo over James Brown in the 120 and junior Tyler Sauter over sophomore Mike Avelar in the 152, both by major decision (5-2, 6-3, respectively).

The 170 first round of consolations, 160 and 182 championship matches were crucial for Sunnyside to win state.

"We had all 13 wrestlers score, but I can point to one match at 170 first round wrestle back that swayed the momentum of the tournament," Leon said. 

Sunnyside senior Richard Escalante pinned Liberty senior Willie Brooks in the 170 first round of consolations, before Escalante was pinned by Marana junior Troy Fox in the consolation semifinals.

Two-time defending champion and undefeated senior Sebastian Robles, who moved up from 145 to 160 this season, beat Liberty senior Marcus Murabito in the latter weight by decision, 7-4. 

That was the turning point of the championship that created more separation between Sunnyside and Liberty on the leaderboard.

"Going into my championship match, I was confident that I was mentally and physically prepared," Robles said. "Coach Leon always says 'stay prepared so you don’t have to get prepared.'"

Sunnyside junior and two-time state finalist Rene Fragoso got his personal redemption after falling in Division II's 152 title match last season. He sealed the team victory by beating Mesa Skyline senior Alex Sanchez in the 182.

"It feels good winning a state title after losing last year," Fragoso said. "I thought how it felt when I lost that match, and it motivated me to be my best everyday because I was not going to feel that way again."

The Division I state championship's sole four-time state champion was undefeated Chandler senior Zach Espalin. He capped off his high school career by winning the 126.

Here is the list of this year's Division I individual state champions per weight class, followed by those who placed in second, and their duals records this season:

106

Damien Moreno, Yuma Kofa, So. (19-0); Alexander Sweeney, Desert Ridge, So. (15-2)

113

James Armstrong, Sunnyside, So. (12-0); Tim Murabito, Liberty, Fr., (19-1)

120

Michael Trujillo, Liberty, Fr., (18-0); James Brown, Sunnyside, Sr. (11-1)

126

Zach Espalin, Chandler, Sr. (13-0);  Noah Kasprowicz, Anthem Boulder Creek, Sr (13-5)

132

Damen Miller, Desert Vista, So, (18-0); Dante Oliverio, Phoenix Horizon, Sr. (19-1)

138

Mourece Ramirez, Desert Vista, Sr. (19-0); Carson Coy, Liberty, Jr. (18-1)

145

Johnny Sierra, Yuma Cibola, Sr. (16-0); Jaime Rivera, Sunnyside, Jr. (13-1)

152

Tyler Sauter, Liberty, Jr., (12-3); Mike Avelar, Sunnyside, So. (9-2)

160

Sebastian Robles, Sunnyside, Sr. (12-0); Marcus Murabito, Liberty, Sr. (18-2)

170

Gunnar Luke, Mesa Mountain View, Jr. (20-0); Caleb Milnes, Gilbert Perry, Sr. (14-4)

182

Rene Fragoso, Sunnyside, Jr. (12-0); Alex Sanchez, Mesa Skyline, Sr., (20-1)

195

Elijah Sobas, Chandler Hamilton, Sr. (19-0); Kaiden Cisneros, Mesa, Jr. (16-3) 

220

William Durbin, Mesa Dobson, Jr (12-0); Nathaniel Deasey, Chandler, Sr. (13-1)

285

Liam Hoffmeyer, Cibola, Sr. (15-0); Jacob Moore, Boulder Creek, Sr. (18-1)

Have tips for us? Reach the reporter at dana.scott@azcentral.com or at 480-486-4721. Follow his Twitter @iam_DanaScott.

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