Submitted photos – The Del Norte wrestlers at this week’s state championships in Bakersfield.
Del Norte senior Colton Schaad capped an outstanding four years of high school wrestling by going further at the state tournament than any other Warriors grappler in the past 15 years.
Competing in the 165-pound bracket, the Del Norte standout finished 3-2 in tournament action and in the top-16 in the state, just one win from advancing to day three.
He was ranked No. 19 coming into the three-day event and defeated the Nos. 15 and 18 wrestlers.
Not since the legendary Bronk McCovey, who is the most accomplished wrestler in H-DNL history, won back-to-back state titles in 2009 and 2010 has a Del Norte wrestler gone that deep in the toughest high school tournament in the nation.
“Colton had a fantastic tournament,” his father and head coach Clinton Schaad said.
The senior standout was one of three Warriors to qualify for the prestigious tournament in Bakersfield, all of whom tasted victory on the biggest stages of their young lives.
Fellow senior Curtis Bartley finished 1-2 in the 138-pound bracket, while sophomore Remington Escobedo finished 1-2 at 150 pounds.
For Colton Schaad and Bartley, it was their second trip to the state championships, having each also qualified as juniors.
Bartley, who won his second consecutive North Coast Section title a week ago, was seeded No. 14 in his bracket and lost his opening match.
He would battle back to win his second match before eventually falling in the consolation round of 16 to the No. 4 seed.
“Curtis had a rough first-round match, but everybody in this tournament is a quality wrestler. This is the best of the best,” Clinton Schaad said. “In his second match he looked much more like the Curtis we know. He looked good in that one and got the win.”
Bartley will now take his talents to North Idaho Junior College, one of the top JC program is the nation, and he plans on competing with a four-year program after his time there.
He certainly left his mark at Del Norte High School.
“He wrestled tough and he had an amazing career at Del Norte,” Clinton Schaad said. “I told him this is just a stepping stone, part of the process.”
Making his first trip to the state tournament, Escobedo looked like he belonged and the NCS champion should only continue to get better over the next two years as he looks to make a return trip to Bakersfield next year.
“He looked good,” Clinton Schaad said. “Remington’s only a sophomore and it’s his first time here, but even to make it here is an accomplishment.
“Remington went out there and gave it his all. This young man, a sophomore, had a great, great season.”
In addition to his top-16 finish, Colton Schaad also will be awarded a prestigious CIF Pursuing Victory with Honor medal on Saturday night for his actions, positive attitude and sportsmanship, it was announced earlier in the day.
Fortuna’s Chloe Cox also received that honor last year.
“For Colton to be in that elite company is pretty exciting,” Clinton Schaad said.
Like his teammate, Colton will also be taking his talents to the college mats after graduation this year, and he has received plenty of interest as he continues to weigh his options.
Overall, the Warriors placed 57th as a team this week, a great showing for the program.
“We battled,” the head coach said. “The kids did their best. It’s a huge tournament. This is the biggest state tournament in the country.”
Colton Schaad receives his CIF Pursuing Victory with Honor medal.
