Montezuma-Cortez’s CeJae Snyder is presented to all inside Ball Arena in Denver after pinning Moffat County’s Natalia Quezada on Day 3–Saturday, February 21–of the 2026 CHSAA Class 4A Girls’ State Championships. Snyder’s victory earned her fifth place within the 115-pound division.Joel Priest/Special to The Journal
Three of the 12 athletes reached the podium as top-six finishers
The state wrestling championships inside Ball Arena are one of the most electric weekends in CHSAA’s calendar.Twelve wrestlers from Montezuma and Dolores County, including seven first-time qualifiers, soaked in the atmosphere under the bright Denver lights.
At the end of 72 hours of high drama, three of the 12 athletes reached the podium as top-six finishers in their divisions, closing out another season of strong representation from the Four Corners on Saturday in the capital city.
Montezuma-Cortez’s Teagun Samora works against Wellington’s Benjamin Gomez during 120-pound action Thursday at the 2026 CHSAA Class 3A State Championships inside Ball Arena in Denver. Samora lost the quarterfinal bout by 13-4 major decision, bumping him into the weight’s consolation rounds.J oel Priest/Special to The Journal
Mancos’ Traycer White stares in at Monte Vista’s Stetson Romero during 120-pound action Thursday at the 2026 CHSAA Class 2A State Championships inside Ball Arena in Denver. White won by pin to advance into the weight’s quarterfinals.Joel Priest/Special to The Journal
Dolores 215-pounder Daniel Jacket strives against Springfield’s Jett Konkel during Day 1 action Thursday at the 2026 CHSAA Class 2A State Championships inside Ball Arena in Denver. Jacket lost by pin, bumping him into the weight’s consolation rounds.Joel Priest/Special to The Journal
Dolores’ Kenji Edwards pulls off a balancing act atop the hip of Nucla’s Jackson McCabe during 132-pound action Saturday at the 2026 CHSAA Class 2A State Championships inside Ball Arena in Denver. Edwards defeated fellow San Juan Basin Leaguer McCabe 7-5 to advance into the weight’s third-place match (McCabe would vie for fifth).(Joel Priest/Special to The Journal)
Dove Creek 106-pounder Keaton Banks latches firmly onto the leg of Yuma’s Cooper Blach Friday at the 2026 CHSAA Class 2A State Championships inside Ball Arena in Denver. Banks won 8-3 to survive into the next consolation round.Joel Priest/Special to The Journal
Dove Creek’s Keaton Banks clamps down upon Sedgwick County/Fleming’s Kol Herskind during 106-pound action Thursday at the 2026 CHSAA Class 2A State Championships inside Ball Arena in Denver. Banks won a 15-5 major decision, advancing him into the weight’s quarterfinals.Joel Priest/Special to The Journal
