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Ward second at state for Eagle Valley Devils

DENVER — It’s a bitter end, but an absolutely tremendous season, nonetheless.

Eagle Valley’s Devin Ward fell in the finals to none other than Montezuma-Cortez’s Seager Oliver, 4-0, on the big stage at the Pepsi Center during the 3A state finals on Saturday night.

Unfortunately, Oliver is the same guy who topped Ward in regionals last weekend in Montrose. Oliver had first- and second-period takedowns against Ward and that stood.



A Sensational Season

It doubtless stings now, but Ward had a sensational season. As a junior, he didn’t make state after separating his shoulder. As a senior, he came back with a purpose. Ward racked up a record of 39-7. He steamrolled through the state tournament, recording his first two pins in a total of 59 seconds. Ward then downed Lane Masar, of Florence, 37 seconds into the third period in Friday night’s semifinals.

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If only Cortez from the Four Corners could have chosen one of the three other states in that region.

In other action Saturday, Battle Mountain’s Freddy Morales got a 3-2 decision in wrestle-backs over Pueblo South’s Michael Ramirez, before falling to Windsor’s Josh Villa in the third-place match of the 4A state tournament.

By finishing fourth, Morales is the first Huskies wrestler to make the podium at a state tournament since 2000, the last year Battle Mountain competed as a 3A school.

Sports Editor Chris Freud can be reached at 970-748-2934, cfreud@vaildaily.com and @cfreud.


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