GREYSON KOINZANKATIE PICKRELL

Junior Trent Schultz’s hard work during practices, tournaments and duels paid off when he made Highlands Ranch history by earning Mountain Vista its first ever state-champion title for wrestling.

Schultz (44-1) placed first in the Class 5A 195-pound division after defeating Legacy senior Nolan Funk (45-2) by decision.

“[To] me, it really means that everything that I’ve done has paid off. I was asked at the beginning of the season what my plans were, and I’d say that I just want to work hard, fully invest myself in every practice and practice with faith in what I do,” Schultz said. “It feels good just to have it pay off the way it should.”

Overall, the varsity team finished in 15th out of 56 with 35 team points. The score tied with Thornton High School.

Schultz’s brother, Cohl (47-1), took first in the Class 5A 220-pound division for Ponderosa as a freshman after defeating Cherokee Trail junior Max Gonzales (35-3).

Both of the Schultz brothers have wrestling careers ahead of them, Trent with one year left at Mountain Vista and Cohl with three at Ponderosa.

The major accomplishment served as motivation going forward.

“It’s kind of overwhelming, it’s finally starting to set in that I did do it,” Schultz said. “It’s an exciting feeling being the first one at Vista.”