Tripp DuVall of Holly has reached the pinnacle of success in Colorado High School Wrestling.
During the weekend, he clinched the coveted state championship title for 2A Wrestling at the weight of 150 pounds after defeating opponent Kevin Cisneros of Monte Vista at Ball Arena. DuVall’s journey to this achievement has been marked by unwavering dedication, mental strength, and work ethic, all of which have been instrumental in propelling him to the top of his game.
DuVall’s coach, Mikey Lozano, has been a witness to the blood, sweat, and tears that he poured into his training.
“Tripp is a hardworking dedicated wrestler,” Lozano said. “He put in the extra time in the off-season. Tripp is very self-motivated; once he puts his mind to something, he goes out and gets it. He doesn’t have an ounce of give up in his body, so no matter how hard things get, he pushes through and keeps his eye on the prize. I believe that his mental strength and work ethic are what won him his state title.”
The path to victory was not an easy one for Duvall. He and his team faced formidable competition throughout the season.
Lozano reflected on their challenging schedule by saying, “We had a tough schedule this year. We wrestled a lot of Kansas tournaments which have tough competition.”
DuVall’s resilience was evident in the face of adversity, as he managed to secure the state title despite facing four losses during the season, with three of them coming from out-of-state opponents and one from a Colorado 4A wrestler.
One of DuVall’s key allies on the mat was Cael Nordyke, who Lozano highlighted as a crucial member of the team and a four-time state qualifier.
As the team bids Nordyke farewell, Lozano expressed his deep gratitude for the wrestler by stating, “We want to thank Cael Nordyke for everything he has given to us and making us so proud these last four years! Thank you, Cael!” Nordyke’s departure leaves a void in the team, but it also opens up opportunities for new talent to emerge.
Looking ahead to the next season, Coach Lozano is optimistic about the team’s prospects. Despite losing Nordyke, they have a young and promising roster. Jerry Holdren, a state qualifier as a freshman, is set to return and contribute to the team’s success.
With DuVall returning as a senior and a leader, the team is poised for another strong season.
Reflecting on DuVall’s remarkable year, Lozano expressed his pride in the wrestler’s accomplishments.
“This year has been a great year for Tripp,” he said. “It’s not easy being a great wrestler; there is a lot of pressure and expectations of you. A lot of that can get to you and if you let it, it can drain you and make things so much harder, but this year he just wrestled and had fun, and I’m so proud that he has the love for this sport and is just an overall amazing young man. He makes things easy on a coach, and I thank him for that from the bottom of my heart.”
Tripp DuVall’s journey to becoming a state champion is not just a testament to his physical prowess but also to his mental fortitude, dedication, and the support of his coach and teammates.
As we look ahead to his senior year, DuVall is poised to leave an indelible mark on the wrestling scene in Holly, inspiring future generations of athletes to strive for excellence in the face of challenges.