GLENDALE — The emotion was too much to overcome when Aaron Briggs of Flowing Wells took home his first state title in the 5A-II state tournament at the Jobing.com Arena on Saturday night.
Briggs defeated Glendale Deer Valley's Pearce Swerdfeger 3-2 in the 140-pound weight class and was the only Flowing Wells wrestler to be awarded a title.
"I just feel appreciative that I was able to fulfill my dream," said Briggs who hugged his coaches after the victory. "This win in my senior year means a lot and it also means a lot to my school and coach."
Sunnyside stole the show, however, by having seven wrestlers win 5A-II individual titles and none more notable than by two seniors, Mike Moreno and Kyle DeBerry.
Moreno and DeBerry were both able to become the third and fourth wrestlers in Sunnyside history to be four-time state champions.
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Moreno won the title when he beat Alan Felix from Yuma Kofa in an unbelievable match 10-8 in the 130 class, while DeBerry had an easier time defeating Marshall Swerdfeger 15-2 in the 160 class in front of his father/coach Bobby DeBerry, whom he embraced after the victory.
"It means a lot to be state champ, and it's amazing that I am a part of school history," said DeBerry. "It's pretty special that I can share it with my dad as well."
In the 4A-I state tournament, Pueblo finished with two state champions, Robert Lopez and David Islas, but was unable to take home the state team with 108 points.
The Warriors were led by Islas, who became a two-time state champion by dominating Brandon Horton of Lake Havasu 16-0.
"I am in shock right now but when I get my medal it might hit me," said the senior Islas. "I just know that it feels better than last year, and I am happy to end my career this way."
Cienega had a great last day of competition when it was able to move up in the standings from sixth to fourth, and a major reason was Adam Miles who grabbed his first state title in the 125 weight class with a 15-4 win over Glendale Independence's Daniel Felix.
"I wrestled solid, smart and fast all wrapped up into one," said Miles. "There are no words to describe what I am feeling right now. I want to be back next year to defend my crown."
Safford won the 3A team title with a score of 241 1/2 and Justin Gaethje was awarded his second individual title and ended his season with a record of 52-0 in the 160 weight class.
"This is what I work for each year and it took a lot of hard work," said Gaethje after he rolled over Jeff Cappellini of Fountain Hills with a pin in 3 minutes 10 seconds. "I never gave up all year and I am happy we won the team title."
Benson placed second in the 1A/2A team state finals with 116 points, while Morenci was third with 114 1/2.
State champs
Local Class 4A and 5A wrestlers who won state championships Saturday (weight class, conference):
David Islas, Pueblo (119, 4A-I)
Paul Garza, Sunnyside (119, 5A-II)
Adam Miles, Cienega (125, 4A-I)
Steven Moreno, Sunnyside (125, 5A-II)
Mike Moreno, Sunnyside (130, 5A-II)
Nathan Vorel, Sunnyside (135, 5A-II)
Aaron Briggs, Flowing Wells (140, 5A-II)
Raymond Pina, Sunnyside (152, 5A-II)
Kyle DeBerry, Sunnyside (160, 5A-II)
Orson Lor, Amphitheater (160, 4A-I)
Cooper Dewitt, Rio Rico (160, 4A-II)
Robert Lopez, Pueblo (171, 4A-I)
Jerry Ochoa, Sunnyside (171, 5A-II)
Jared Hiller, Mountain View (215, 5A-II)
