Cohlton Schultz, Greatest Wrestler In Colorado History?
By Kyle Fredrickson
The Denver Post
February 23, 2019
Upon first glance, you might mistake the grin on Cohlton Schultz’s face beneath his mop of curly hair and soft brown eyes as a comforting view. Don’t be fooled. It’s his opponent’s worst nightmare.
The reigning heavyweight Class 5A wrestling champion from Ponderosa was loose Saturday night in the moments leading up to a historic achievement. One shot at a fourth-consecutive state title. And, all that stood between Schultz, who will receive the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award during Honors Weekend on May 31 and June 1, and the final glimmering chapter of his vaunted high school career was Legend senior Colin Lavell in the championship match. But the outcome was never in question.
Schultz wasted no time. He instantly threw Lavell to the mat with a devastating takedown, and 52 seconds into the first period, Schultz put Lavell on his back. The pin proved inevitable. The official raised Schultz’s arm in victory and the arena exploded with noise.
“It’s crazy. It’s something I’ve dreamed of ever since I was a little kid,” Schultz said. “For it to come true, it’s incredible.”
It all begs an intriguing, but difficult, question to answer. Is Schultz the best to ever do it in Colorado? You be the judge.
Schultz’s place as arguably the greatest prep wrestler the state has ever seen is bolstered by several factors. Yes, 21 Colorado grapplers before this season claimed four-straight high school titles, but none as heavyweights and few with such brute force. Schultz went undefeated in consecutive high school seasons and his best work came on the big stage. He pinned 15-of-16 career state tournament opponents, and in 2019, Schultz made quick work in four falls: 52 seconds, 26 seconds, 35 seconds and 51 seconds.
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The Denver Post
February 23, 2019
Upon first glance, you might mistake the grin on Cohlton Schultz’s face beneath his mop of curly hair and soft brown eyes as a comforting view. Don’t be fooled. It’s his opponent’s worst nightmare.
The reigning heavyweight Class 5A wrestling champion from Ponderosa was loose Saturday night in the moments leading up to a historic achievement. One shot at a fourth-consecutive state title. And, all that stood between Schultz, who will receive the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award during Honors Weekend on May 31 and June 1, and the final glimmering chapter of his vaunted high school career was Legend senior Colin Lavell in the championship match. But the outcome was never in question.
Schultz wasted no time. He instantly threw Lavell to the mat with a devastating takedown, and 52 seconds into the first period, Schultz put Lavell on his back. The pin proved inevitable. The official raised Schultz’s arm in victory and the arena exploded with noise.
“It’s crazy. It’s something I’ve dreamed of ever since I was a little kid,” Schultz said. “For it to come true, it’s incredible.”
It all begs an intriguing, but difficult, question to answer. Is Schultz the best to ever do it in Colorado? You be the judge.
Schultz’s place as arguably the greatest prep wrestler the state has ever seen is bolstered by several factors. Yes, 21 Colorado grapplers before this season claimed four-straight high school titles, but none as heavyweights and few with such brute force. Schultz went undefeated in consecutive high school seasons and his best work came on the big stage. He pinned 15-of-16 career state tournament opponents, and in 2019, Schultz made quick work in four falls: 52 seconds, 26 seconds, 35 seconds and 51 seconds.
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