DENVER — James Pantoja was right there.
The Windsor wrestler had a chance to tie it up late, but Pueblo East’s Manuel “Pocky” Amaro held him off with a 4-2 decision to take the Class 4A 106-pound Colorado state wrestling title Saturday night at Ball Arena.
It was a defensive battle that often provided stalemates between two very evenly-matched competitors.
Trailing 3-0 heading into the match’s final minute, Pantoja went on offense. He looked for any opening and ultimately found a takedown that made for a frantic final finish.
Pantoja was in position for a tying takedown, but the clock hit zero before he could finish the sequence.
Pantoja left the mat stoic as ever, flanked by coaches Monte Trusty and Ben Cherrington as the Windsor fan contingent applauded the effort.
Still, runner-up was a step-up for the Wizards’ senior, who improved on his third-place finish last year by making the finals this time.
It would have been a perfect finish to a dominant state tournament. Pantoja reached the finals via first-period pins and another by 11-2 major decision.